Green Party Chair Hires Infamous GOP Lawyer Andy Taylor

Any doubt that the Green Party of Texas is willingly being used by high profile Republicans with connections to Rick Perry can now be set aside. With an ethical cloud hanging over the Republican-Green Party petition collaboration, notorious GOP attorney Andy Taylor has signed on to represent a Green Party of Texas Co-Chair. As Greg Abbott’s assistant, Taylor earned his spurs as a Republican legal henchman, and since has represented prominent Republicans Tom DeLay and David Dewhurst, and even an ethically troubled back bench Republican like Rep. Dwayne Bohac.

As the Lone Star Project has reported, the Green Party of Texas allowed out of state right wing activists to funnel money through a secret donor to a nonprofit organization in order to finance a signature gathering operation and qualify for candidates to appear on the Texas ballot. The Texas Democratic Party filed suit in order to force disclosure of the secret donor and block the improper use of corporate or other illegal funds to finance a ballot petition effort.

Who is Andy Taylor?

Andy Taylor is called the “the go-to lawyer for Republicans,” by the Austin American Statesman. (Source: Austin American-Statesman, March 4, 2005) His clients have included Republican statewide officeholders, Republican State Representatives, Republican donors, and big corporations looking to weaken campaign finance laws. His client list includes

• Republican AG Greg Abbott
• Republican Senator John Cornyn
• Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst
• Republican Tom Delay’s Group TRMPAC
• Republican Mega Donor Bob Perry
• Republican State Representatives Dwayne Bohac, Talmadge Heflin, and Bill Zedler

(Sources: Texas Ethics Commission; Austin American-Statesman, March 4, 2005; Fort Worth Star Telegram, September 21, 2003; Corpus Christi Caller-Times, September 20, 2003)

Perhaps most interesting is his relationship with Rick Perry. Andy Taylor has such a close relationship with Rick Perry that when Perry was looking to fill vacancies on the Texas Supreme Court, he asked Andy Taylor to interview, “potential candidates and [assess] their strengths and weaknesses.” (Source: Texas Monthly, February, 2005)

Deal with the Devil

Green Party leaders still have an opportunity to rescue some level of credibility and avoid criminal prosecution by abandoning this ballot scam and refusing to formally certify their candidates. However, it is a sure bet Andy Taylor won’t give them that advice because his interest is protecting Rick Perry and the covert Republican operation that engineered the petition drive. It’s unlikely the Green Party can afford Andy Taylor, and it’s a safe bet that Taylor will advise his new Green Party “clients” to take actions that benefit Republicans, regardless of the legal risks to Green Party officers.