Once a thief, always a thief? Sticky-finger Paxton, a pen, a wife- keep your eyes on him.
Ken Paxton has had a long political career filled with investigations, indictments, impeachment, and controversy.
But sometimes the little stories are the best ones.
Years ago, attorney Joe Joplin went through security at the Collin County courthouse and accidentally left behind a $1,000 Montblanc pen.
Fortunately, the courthouse had security cameras.
Unfortunately for Ken Paxton, the courthouse had security cameras.
The video shows Paxton at the security checkpoint, examining items left in the tray and walking away with Joplin’s expensive pen.
When Joplin discovered the pen was missing, authorities checked the surveillance video. The sheriff recognized Paxton.
The pen eventually came home.
Now James Talarico, who is running against Paxton for the U.S. Senate, has announced Joplin’s endorsement.
At first, that sounds like one of those political endorsements nobody outside the endorser’s immediate family cares about.
Until you learn who Joplin is.
He is the guy whose $1,000 pen went home with Ken Paxton.
And there is video.
Talarico could probably save himself a lot of money on television advertising.
Just show the surveillance tape.
Then put these words on the screen:
“This is Ken Paxton when he thinks nobody is watching.”
No narrator necessary.
No scary music.
No political consultant explaining what voters are supposed to think.
Just Ken.
A courthouse.
And a $1,000 pen.
Sometimes politics really is that simple.
