John Bash, a former U.S. Attorney and current co-chair of Quinn Emanuel’s national appellate practice, has officially announced his candidacy for the position of Texas Attorney General. This announcement follows Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s recent declaration of his intent to pursue a Senate seat, which is currently held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton’s Senate ambitions open the stage for new candidates in Texas’s legal and political arena, with Bash being the first to step forward.
Bash, a Harvard Law School graduate and former clerk for Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Brett Kavanaugh, has a distinguished legal career. He formerly served as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas during the Trump administration, where he tackled significant issues such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, and corruption. In addition to his legal experience, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Bash to the state’s initial Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council as an expert on constitutional law.
Explaining his motivation to run, Bash emphasized the importance of preserving the constitutional government and free enterprise for future generations. As he begins his campaign, he plans to engage with Texans across the state to earn their trust and support. More details on Bash’s candidacy can be found in a recent article by Texas Lawyer. Bash’s entry into the race sets the stage for an interesting election cycle, especially given his multifaceted experience in both government and private legal practice.