Texans want to be No. 1. They want to be bigger, better, faster, at the very top of every list.

Well, Texas, here's a ranking where you're almost at the very top. In fact, you're No. 3 in the entire nation.

It's the number of public officials convicted of criminal charges between 1998 and 2007. The New York Times has the entire nation ranked in a nifty graphic.

Yes, Texas, you rank right below Florida and New York in terms of sheer numbers -- 565 to Florida's 824 and New York's 704.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking -- But Texas is a big state! Twenty-four million people live here! THAT'S why we have so many corrupt officials -- because we have more people!

You've got a point. Looking at the numbers on a per-capita basis, convictions per million residents per year, The Times ranked Texas at No. 32, right below Maryland and right above Arizona and Rhode Island.


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