Civil Rights Lawyer Lee Merritt Broadcasts Run For Workplace Of Texas Lawyer Normal – CBS Dallas / Fort Price

NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) – A North Texas attorney who has represented the families of blacks killed by police officers says he is running for attorney general.

Lee Merritt announced over the weekend that he is planning to challenge Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton after mentioning the idea a few days earlier during a protest against the death of a man in custody in Collin County.

CONTINUE READING: Texas Governor Greg Abbott said, “The focus is on helping small businesses.”

Merritt has faked a national lawyer profile for people killed in interactions with law enforcement, including Botham Jean, a Dallas man who was fatally shot and killed by an off duty police officer in his own home, and Atatiana Jefferson, a Fort Worth woman who died after an officer shot her through the back window of her home where she was playing video games with her nephew.

“Texas deserves an attorney general who fights for the constitutional rights of all citizens,” tweeted Merritt on Saturday.

I’m running for Texas Attorney General.
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Texas deserves an attorney general who fights for the constitutional rights of all citizens. pic.twitter.com/JhE9HSPc8q

CONTINUE READING: Spring storms are returning to North Texas quickly, chance for severe weather tonight

– S. Lee Merritt, Esq. (@MeritLaw) March 20, 2021

It’s unclear whether Merritt, who supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during the 2019 Democratic presidential primary, is seeking or receiving State party support for his run. He has not responded to The Associated Press requests for comment.

People who want to run for Texas Attorney General have been unable to submit candidacy papers for months, but the 2022 election caught early attention following new criminal charges against Paxton.

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Last year the FBI began an investigation into the current AG Paxton after its senior MPs charged him with bribery, abuse of office and other alleged crimes on behalf of a donor. Paxton has denied any wrongdoing and said he would seek re-election.