Texas ranchers warned against voting for Republican Ken Paxton in competitive Senate race: ‘He has the morals of a lizard, and that is probably being unkind to lizards,’ former Texas Farm Bureau chief says
A former leader of Texas’ largest farm organization is warning ranchers and voters against supporting Republican Ken Paxton in the state’s competitive U.S. Senate race, breaking with the organization he once led.
‘The morals of a lizard’
Bob Stallman, former president of the Texas Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau Federation, attacked Paxton in an op-ed, declaring, “Ken Paxton has the morals of a lizard, and that is probably being unkind to lizards.”
The criticism came just weeks after the Texas Farm Bureau endorsed Paxton, saying the Texas attorney general has “consistently used the courts to defend Texas farmers, ranchers and landowners” and has “worked to protect the interests of farm and ranch families.”
Stallman said that endorsement had “greatly diminished” the organization’s reputation.
“No matter what the Texas Farm Bureau says, I will not vote to elect Ken Paxton to the U.S. Senate — nor will I encourage anyone else to do so,” he said.
Ken Paxton accused of being ‘corrupt’
Stallman said Paxton is “proven to be corrupt,” citing allegations about his personal life and his 2023 impeachment by the Republican-led Texas House over accusations that he abused his office to benefit a political donor. Paxton denied wrongdoing and was acquitted by the Texas Senate later that year.
Paxton’s estranged wife, Angela, filed for divorce in July 2025 on what she described as “biblical grounds.” Unsealed court records showed she accused him of adultery, an allegation Paxton denied in court filings. Angela has since endorsed her husband’s Senate campaign.
“I’ve worked with plenty of Republicans who truly care about the agriculture industry. In my opinion, Paxton is not one of them, and he does not have the moral fitness to serve as a U.S. senator,” Stallman said.
The Texas Senate race
The criticism surfaced as Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico in a closely watched Senate contest. Paxton has emphasized his rural roots and agriculture issues while campaigning across Texas.
According to a recent poll from Pulse Decision Science released on Tuesday, September 29, Paxton is outpacing Talarico, 48 percent to 45 percent. The poll surveyed 800 likely voters between September 24 and 27. However, several other recent polls show the race as much tighter.
Stallman is not the only former Republican-aligned figure opposing Paxton. David Maxwell, a former senior Paxton aide and whistleblower who testified during the 2023 impeachment proceedings, recently endorsed Talarico and appeared in a campaign advertisement for the Democrat.