McLennan  County (think Waco) Commissioner Will Smith got a visit today by the Texas Rangers. It was not a social call and they brought handcuffs.

Commissioner Smith, who describes himself as “a lifelong Republican,” was indicted for offering a bribe to his opponent in the Republican primary.

His opponent in the Republican primary, Ben Matus, recalls —

“He was serious. He offered to pay me to drop out of the race,” Matus said at the time. “He kind of blindsided me. He told me I was wasting my time and money, and I kind of got agitated. It is my time and my money. He said it is a losing cause, but it made me want to run against him even more.”

Smith offered to “refund” Matus’ filing fee, which was $1,200.  Matus turned him down.

Smith won and then took the oath of office, swearing that he did not offer any bribes to get there.

Jones said in January he doesn’t think his offer constitutes a bribe, calling it a “simple business transaction.”

Because that’s how Republicans do bidness in Texas.