State Sen. Angela Paxton has filed for divorce from her husband, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, just as he gears up to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in a high-profile GOP primary.
Angela Paxton announced the divorce in a Thursday afternoon tweet, explaining that the decision was on “biblical grounds.”
“I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation,” the Republican state senator 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.”
In the statement, Sen. Paxton didn’t specify what the “recent discoveries” were. However, they don’t seem related to legal scandals surrounding the Attorney General regarding accusations of fraud and bribery.
In papers filed in Collin County Thursday, Angela Paxton cited adultery as a reason for the divorce, according to Austin NPR station KUT.
Texas’ top lawyer admitted in 2018 to having an extramarital affair, the Texas Tribune reports.
Ken Paxton admitted the affair to his staffers in late 2018, according to the Tribune, though the affair was reportedly already common knowledge. In his confession to staffers, he swore it was over and recommitted to his wife, though the news outlet reports the affair continued for another two years.
One deputy even recalled a verbal confrontation between Angela and the mistress in an Austin cafe, the Tribune reports.
Angela Paxton, whose district includes McKinney, stated in the divorce papers that the couple ceased living together in June 2024, KUT reports.
Shortly after Angela Paxton tweeted out her statement, Ken Paxton released his own, citing “political attacks and public scrutiny” as reasons for what he characterizes as a mutually agreed-upon parting of ways.
“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 said. “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. I ask for your prayers and privacy at this time.”
The divorce could complicate Ken Paxton’s ability to self-finance his Senate campaign, and the allegations of adultery are likely to come up in campaign ads. Ahead of the primary, recent polling shows the MAGA adherent more popular with Republican voters than the slightly more moderate Cornyn.
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This article appears in Jul 10-23, 2025.
