Ken Paxton Under Fire: New Lawsuit Threatens to Rock the Texas Attorney General’s Office

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s political fortunes were jolted late Thursday when his wife, State Sen. Angela Paxton, filed for divorce after 38 years of marriage, citing “biblical grounds” and unspecified “recent discoveries.” The split lands at a pivotal moment: Paxton is challenging U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in a 2026 Republican primary that is already the most closely watched intraparty contest in Texas. Key facts • Angela Paxton submitted the petition in Collin County, alleging adultery and noting that the couple have lived apart since June 2024. • Ken Paxton attributed the move to “countless political attacks and public scrutiny,” asking for privacy in social-media posts. • The National Republican Senatorial Committee, which backs Cornyn, immediately framed the news as further evidence of Paxton’s “character issues.” Why Angela Paxton says she ended the marriage In an X post, the senator wrote that she “earnestly pursued reconciliation” but concluded staying married would not “honor God” or protect her family. The filing’s adultery claim revives questions first aired during the 2023 impeachment trial, when House managers detailed an affair the attorney general allegedly resumed in 2020 after briefly ending it in 2019. A fresh ethics cloud over a Senate bid Paxton’s divorce injects new uncertainty into a Senate campaign already shaped by legal controversies. Although the Texas Senate acquitted him of impeachment charges and state securities-fraud counts were dropped earlier this year, voters are now confronted with personal allegations that reinforce Cornyn’s narrative of “ethical baggage.” Strategists in both parties say suburban and evangelical voters—critical in GOP primaries—may rethink their support if adultery becomes a dominant storyline. Potential impact on fundraising and endorsements Paxton has cultivated grassroots enthusiasm by suing the Biden administration on border security, energy and social-policy fronts. He also courts an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, whose nod could be decisive. Republican consultants note, however, that big-money donors often weigh personal conduct; a drawn-out divorce could chill super-PAC contributions and complicate a Trump blessing if the former president perceives vulnerability. Legal timeline and next steps • Cooling-off period: Texas imposes a 60-day waiting period after a divorce petition is filed. • Discovery phase: If the case is contentious, both sides could subpoena financial and phone records, potentially exposing new details about Paxton’s private life. • Settlement vs. trial: High-profile Texas divorces often end in sealed settlements, but a public trial would keep the story in headlines well into primary season. How Paxton’s allies are responding Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and several Freedom Caucus members issued statements praising the Paxtons’ “years of service” while urging discretion. Grassroots influencers on conservative talk radio largely defended Paxton, framing the divorce as a personal matter exploited by the “Austin establishment.” Cornyn, speaking on Capitol Hill, called it a “private matter” yet suggested it underscored “questions of judgment.” Historical context • Paxton is the first Texas attorney general to face both impeachment and a Senate run while in office. • The last statewide official to weather a high-profile divorce mid-campaign was former Gov. Rick Perry in 1990; he ultimately won but never faced adultery allegations. • Texas has no explicit “morals clause” for statewide officers, so the divorce poses no legal barrier to Paxton remaining attorney general or running for federal office. What to watch 1. Polling shifts: Early June surveys showed Paxton leading Cornyn by 8–12 points among GOP primary voters. Post-divorce polling will signal whether personal issues erode that margin. 2. Trump’s calculation: If the former president delays an endorsement, it may indicate concern that Paxton’s liabilities now outweigh his loyalty. 3. Legislative session optics: Angela Paxton returns to Austin in January. Observers will scrutinize whether she distances herself from her husband’s agenda or remains a vocal ally. Bottom line Ken Paxton has repeatedly survived legal and political storms, but a divorce rooted in allegations of adultery adds a deeply personal twist that could resonate with faith-driven conservatives. With the U.S. Senate primary less than eight months away, the attorney general must now battle not just Cornyn and lingering corruption narratives but also a marital drama unfolding in the public eye.