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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s divorce proceedings made public, adding to Senate race scrutiny
Court documents detailing the divorce of Republican U.S. Senate candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from his wife, state Senator Angela Paxton, were unsealed Friday by judicial order, revealing allegations of adultery as the grounds for the separation.
Angela Paxton filed for divorce in July citing “biblical grounds” and mentioned “recent discoveries” in her social media announcement. The initial filing showed she sought the divorce on grounds that Ken Paxton had committed adultery, though no additional details were provided. Ken Paxton has denied these allegations in a separate filing.
“It’s a victory, I think, for the American public and for the Texas voters,” said Tyler Bexley, an attorney representing a coalition of media outlets that successfully pushed for the records to be made public.
The divorce comes amid one of the nation’s most contentious Republican primary races, as Paxton attempts to unseat incumbent Senator John Cornyn. The timing adds another layer of controversy to Paxton’s campaign, which has already been marked by his lengthy history of legal troubles. The Texas Senate primary is scheduled for March 3, giving voters less than three months to process this new information.
Despite the controversy, political analysts note that Paxton has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout his career. The three-term attorney general remains competitive in the Senate race, which also includes Representative Wesley Hunt among other challengers.
The divorce ends a 38-year marriage during which Angela Paxton consistently supported her husband through numerous legal challenges. Ken Paxton recently resolved a state securities fraud indictment through a 2024 plea deal, agreeing to pay restitution and complete community service. Additionally, the Justice Department dropped a federal corruption probe earlier this year.
Perhaps most notably, Angela Paxton stood by her husband during his 2023 impeachment trial, which publicly exposed an extramarital affair. That trial ended in an acquittal, allowing Paxton to continue serving as attorney general.
Despite a decade of legal controversies, Paxton’s electoral support in Texas has remained strong. He won reelection as attorney general in 2022 by nearly 10 percentage points, demonstrating his enduring appeal to the state’s conservative voters.
Paxton launched his Senate campaign in April, prompting significant opposition from national Republican leadership. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has expressed concerns that while Paxton might win the primary, his controversies could complicate the general election and force the party to spend heavily to retain the seat.
“What Ken Paxton has put his family through is truly repulsive and disgusting,” NRSC spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez said in July. “No one should have to endure what Angela Paxton has, and we pray for her as she chooses to stand up for herself and her family during this difficult time.”
The race has already attracted substantial campaign spending. Groups supporting Cornyn have invested more than $21 million on television ads this year to promote the four-term senator and attack Paxton, according to AdImpact.
On the Democratic side, U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett and state Representative James Talarico are competing in their party’s primary for the chance to face the Republican nominee in November.
Political dynamics in the race are complicated by the influence of former President Donald Trump. Paxton has been one of Trump’s most loyal supporters, while Cornyn has occasionally drawn criticism from within the Republican Party for his willingness to work across the aisle. Trump’s endorsement is expected to significantly impact the primary outcome in Texas, a state he won by nearly 14 percentage points in the last presidential election. Thus far, Trump has not endorsed either candidate.
Judge Robert Brotherton approved the agreement on Friday to release the divorce records, which had been sealed at Angela Paxton’s request shortly after she filed. Ken Paxton had opposed making the documents public, according to court filings.
Bexley emphasized that media outlets believe voters have the right to access this information as “they are making decisions in the upcoming elections.” Future divorce filings will also be released to the public under the agreement reached between the Paxtons and media organizations.
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5 Comments
Heated primaries can bring a lot of personal baggage to the forefront. While the public has a right to know, this divorce saga feels like a distraction from the real policy issues facing Texas. I hope both candidates can move past the personal drama and focus on substantive discussions.
The timing of this divorce case certainly raises eyebrows. I can understand the media’s push for transparency, but I wonder if this will overly politicize a personal matter. Voters should evaluate the candidates’ qualifications and vision, not just their private lives.
Interesting development in the Senate race. I’ll be curious to see how Paxton addresses these allegations and whether it impacts voter perceptions. Ultimately, I hope the candidates can move past the personal drama and engage on the policy priorities for Texans.
Interesting to see the court documents made public amid a heated primary. Voters deserve transparency, but this seems like a very personal issue. I’m curious to hear Paxton’s side of the story and how he’ll address these allegations.
This certainly adds another layer of drama to the Senate race. I wonder how voters will respond to the unsealed divorce records and allegations of adultery. It seems like a messy situation that could impact the campaign.