Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial escalates Texas Republican civil war

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted in the Texas Senate on Saturday .

His impeachment trial was the latest battle in an ongoing civil war between the Texas GOP ’s establishment members and a well-funded right wing that has claimed the party is insufficiently conservative.

Paxton has played a key role in that fight, and has used his office to back the issues favored by the right wing.

He has received millions of dollars from donors such as oil tycoons Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks .

The animosity comes ahead of a special session — likely in October — over school choice legislation.

The possibility of an even deeper rift has prompted some in the party to call for reconciliation.

“The radical and divisive nature of the situation in Texas now is going to cost us terribly,” former Amarillo Sen. Kel Seliger said.