Sen. Angela Paxton Files for Divorce from Texas AG Ken Paxton
In a personal and political shakeup, State Sen. Angela Paxton announced on Thursday that she has filed for divorce from her husband, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, ending a decades-long marriage that has been under scrutiny amid numerous controversies.
Posting to social media platform X, Angela Paxton, a Republican representing McKinney, expressed deep disappointment but affirmed her decision.
“I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation,” she wrote. “But in light of recent discoveries, I do not believe that it honors God or is loving to myself, my children, or Ken to remain in the marriage.”
Divorce Filing Alleges Infidelity
Court records reviewed by The Texas Tribune show that Angela Paxton cited adultery as the reason for the divorce, stating that the couple stopped cohabiting around June 1, 2024. The filing marks a significant moment in the lives of one of Texas’ most high-profile political couples, who have been in public office for years—sometimes overlapping in influence and controversy.
Ken Paxton, in a statement released shortly afterward, characterized the separation as a mutual decision influenced by “countless political attacks and public scrutiny.”
Political Implications and Timeline
Angela Paxton has represented North Texas in the Senate since 2019, taking over the district once held by her husband before he was elected attorney general. She was reelected to a full four-year term in 2022.
Ken Paxton, meanwhile, is preparing for a high-stakes political showdown, challenging longtime U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary. Despite a cloud of legal issues and ethics questions, Paxton remains a strong figure among conservative voters, bolstered by his vocal opposition to the Biden administration and alignment with former President Donald Trump.
But the divorce—especially one citing infidelity—adds a personal dimension to the narrative Cornyn and his allies are likely to exploit in the upcoming race.
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Legal Woes and Public Fallout
Ken Paxton’s tenure has been marked by frequent controversy, including a 2023 impeachment by the Texas House of Representatives over allegations of corruption and abuse of office tied to his relationship with Austin real estate investor Nate Paul. The trial that followed in the Texas Senate ended in Paxton’s acquittal, though his wife, Angela, attended the proceedings. She was barred from voting or participating in the deliberations due to a conflict of interest.
One of the impeachment accusations centered on an alleged extramarital relationship between Ken Paxton and a former Senate aide. According to investigators, the affair ended briefly in 2019 when Angela Paxton discovered it, but resumed in 2020. The woman involved was reportedly summoned to testify during the Senate trial but ultimately did not take the stand.
Since his acquittal, Paxton has largely evaded lasting legal consequences. A longstanding felony securities fraud case was dropped in 2023, and a separate federal probe into corruption allegations made by former aides has also been closed. Despite attempts by the State Bar of Texas to discipline him over his role in contesting the 2020 election results, Paxton has retained his law license and political ambitions.
A Complicated Path Forward
The divorce arrives at a critical juncture for Ken Paxton, who is seeking the endorsement of former President Donald Trump in his Senate campaign. Political insiders reported that Trump discussed the race with GOP leadership just one day before Angela Paxton’s public announcement. The divorce, coupled with its explosive details, could complicate Paxton’s efforts to secure Trump’s backing.
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Although he has survived scandal after scandal, the personal nature of this latest development may test the loyalty of even his most ardent supporters. It also presents an opening for his opponents to raise questions about his judgment, integrity, and stability ahead of a national campaign.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the unraveling of the Paxtons’ marriage is likely to ripple far beyond the courtroom and into the heart of Texas’ political arena.
