Federal Elections Commission questions paperwork of new PAC supporting Ken Paxton

Less than three months into Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s run for the U.S. Senate, a political action committee supporting his candidacy is facing questions from regulators about the validity of its filings.

In a June 24 letter, the Federal Election Commission demanded the newly formed Patriots for Paxton political action committee, or PAC, update paperwork to clarify whether it’s been authorized by Paxton himself or plans to operate independently as it backs his Republican primary campaign to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

The election between MAGA-adherent Paxton and Cornyn, a four-term incumbent representing the GOP’s old guard, is expected to be among the priciest and most closely watched primary fights in the 2026 election cycle.

Under federal law, PACs — tax-exempt groups that pool financial contributions to fund political campaigns — are required to make clear whether they operate independently or as an authorized fundraising arm of the candidate. The FEC letter seeks clarification which way Mesquite-based Patriots for Paxton functions.

“Your committee’s name includes the name of a Federal candidate; however, your committee does not appear to be an authorized committee of that candidate,” the letter states. “If your committee is authorized by a candidate, please amend your Statement of Organization (FEC Form 1) and choose the correct ‘Type of Committee.'”

If Paxton didn’t authorize the PAC’s creation, the letter states, the organization would be required remove his name from its own moniker and also potentially provide further clarification about its fundraising intent.

Patriots for Paxton’s treasurer, Carmen Roberts, didn’t respond to the Current’s request for comment on the letter by press time. A realtor active in politics in the DFW Metroplex suburb of Celina, Roberts has donated to Paxton’s prior political campaigns, along with those of his wife, Texas Sen. Angela Paxton, and other Republicans, records show.

The letter gives Patriots for Paxton until July 29 to explain the matter, noting that failure to respond by deadline “could result in an audit or enforcement action.” The FEC also said it won’t offer an extension to Patriots for Paxton to file a response. Subscribe to SA Current newsletters.

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This article appears in Jun 12-25, 2025.