Why Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's divorce has kicked up a political storm

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and State Senator Angela Paxton are officially ending their nearly four-decade-long marriage.

Angela Paxton filed for divorce on July 10, 2025, citing religious reasons and referring to “recent discoveries” that led her to conclude that continuing the relationship was no longer morally sustainable.

“Today, after 38 years of marriage, I filed for divorce on biblical grounds,” Angela Paxton announced on social media.

“I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation. 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.”

The divorce petition was filed in Collin County, Texas, and includes allegations of adultery.

It also reveals that the couple had not lived together “as spouses” since June last year.

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In a separate statement on social media, Ken Paxton acknowledged the separation and linked their decision to the immense public pressure surrounding their political careers.

“After facing the pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny, Angela and I have decided to start a new chapter in our lives,” he wrote.

“I could not be any more proud or grateful for the incredible family that God has blessed us with, and I remain committed to supporting our amazing children and grandchildren.”

The announcement has rocked Texas politics, not just because of the high-profile nature of the couple, but also due to its timing — just months after Ken Paxton announced his intention to challenge sitting US Senator John Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary.

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Political partnership at the core of the Paxtons’ public life

Angela and Ken Paxton have long operated as a cohesive political team.

Before entering politics, Angela Paxton worked as a high school teacher and guidance counsellor.

She later became a visible and enthusiastic supporter of her husband’s political ambitions, often appearing at campaign events where she would sing and play guitar.

One of her more memorable campaign performances included the line: “I’m a pistol-packin’ mama, and my husband sues Obama.”

Ken Paxton began his political career in the Texas House of Representatives before moving to the state Senate. He was first elected Texas Attorney General in 2014 and subsequently re-elected in 2018 and 2022.

Angela Paxton launched her own political career in 2018, winning a state Senate seat for District 8 in the Dallas suburbs, following a narrow race supported in part by a $2 million loan from her husband.

Once in office, she supported legislative efforts to expand the powers of the Attorney General’s office, including initiatives that would have directly benefitted her husband’s legal authority.

Angela Paxton also remained publicly supportive during her husband’s 2023 impeachment trial, attending all the proceedings in the Texas Senate chamber.

Although she was not allowed to vote on the final verdict due to a conflict of interest, she remained a prominent figure in the chamber throughout the trial.

Not the first stint with controversy for the Paxtons

Ken Paxton’s time in public office has been defined by an array of legal troubles. In 2015, he was indicted on charges of securities fraud based on actions that occurred before he became Attorney General.

After years of pretrial delays, Paxton reached a plea deal in 2024 in which he agreed to pay restitution, undergo ethics training, and complete community service. The case was dismissed this year following his compliance with the terms.

In addition to state-level charges, Paxton also faced a federal investigation beginning in 2023, which focused on allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

The accusations stemmed in part from reports by senior aides in the Attorney General’s office, who claimed that Paxton had misused his position to benefit a real estate developer under FBI scrutiny.

That developer allegedly had ties to Paxton, including covering expenses related to an extramarital affair.

These allegations led the Republican-controlled Texas House of Representatives to vote overwhelmingly to impeach him in May 2023, citing multiple articles that included abuse of office, bribery, obstruction of justice, and misleading public officials.

The Texas Senate held a high-profile trial in September 2023, where Paxton was ultimately acquitted of all charges by a narrow vote, allowing him to resume his duties as Attorney General.

A parallel federal investigation into the same set of issues was later closed, with the US Department of Justice declining to file any charges early this year.

Ken Paxton for US Senate

Despite his extensive legal history, Ken Paxton remains a strong figure within the far-right wing of the Republican Party, closely allied with President Donald Trump.

His tenure as Attorney General has been marked by repeated legal challenges against Democratic policies. During President Joe Biden’s term, Paxton filed nearly 50 lawsuits aimed at rolling back federal regulations or defending Texas state interests.

In one of his most high-profile moves, Paxton filed the lawsuit Texas v. Pennsylvania, which sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in multiple swing states.

The case was dismissed by the US Supreme Court. Paxton also appeared at Trump’s rally in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021, shortly before the Capitol was stormed by supporters of the US president.

In April, Paxton declared his candidacy for the US Senate, formally launching a campaign to unseat Republican Senator John Cornyn, who has served in the chamber for over two decades.

Early polling indicates Paxton enjoys considerable support from Republican primary voters, especially those aligned with the Trump-aligned faction of the party.

However, the announcement of his divorce puts certain things into question.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which has endorsed Cornyn, took a direct swipe at Paxton following the divorce revelation.

“What Ken Paxton has put his family through is truly repulsive and disgusting,” NRSC spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez posted on social media.

“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.”

Cornyn, reacting to the news on Capitol Hill, commented: “There’s plenty of other reasons that I could comment on in terms of character, but I’ll probably just leave that alone,” while also expressing sympathy for Angela Paxton and calling the matter private.

Angela Paxton: A public figure in her own right

Angela Paxton’s political identity has often been closely tied to her husband’s public profile, but she has also carved out her own legislative path.

After entering the Texas Senate in 2019, she authored legislation aimed at expanding parental control over educational materials.

In early 2025, she introduced Senate Bill 13, which would allow parent-appointed boards to decide what books remain in public school libraries — transferring that power away from professional librarians.

In 2019, she also authored Senate Bill 860, a proposal that critics said would have created exemptions to state securities regulations for certain individuals. Although the bill was billed as a consumer protection initiative, it attracted scrutiny due to her husband’s ongoing legal challenges at the time.

Angela Paxton maintained that the legislation “has literally nothing to do” with her husband’s then-pending criminal case.

The Paxtons’ divorce also puts into spotlight the internal fractures within Texas GOP — over loyalty to Trump, ethics and long-standing incumbents.

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With inputs from agencies