Texas AG tests positive for COVID-19

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has tested positive for COVID-19, his office confirmed on Wednesday.

Member’s of Paxton’s communications staff confirmed the positive test to the Texas Tribune, telling the outlet, “He remains working diligently for the people of Texas from home.”

It is unclear whether Paxton is fully vaccinated and if this is a breakthrough case of COVID-19. The Hill has reached out to Paxton’s office for further comment.

Paxton, who is up for reelection, has been a vocal opponent of vaccine mandates and other pandemic mitigation measures such as mask requirements and community-wide restrictions.

In October, Paxton sued the Biden administration over its vaccine mandate for federal contractors, claiming that the administration was “using subterfuge to accomplish what they cannot achieve directly—universal compliance with their vaccine mandates, regardless of individual preferences, healthcare needs, or religious beliefs.”

The Texas official has threatened legal action against entities in his own state as well, warning school districts to drop their mask mandates and telling local governments to loosen their COVID-19 restrictions when cases were still rising and vaccines were not yet available. 

Separately on Wednesday, Democratic Texas Rep. Lizzie Pannill Fletcher also announced that she had contracted a breakthrough case of COVID-19.

“Today, I tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19. I have been testing regularly, and am fully vaccinated and boosted. I’m grateful to only have mild symptoms and am quarantining and following CDC guidance,” Fletcher said on Twitter.