Senator Angela Paxton Files for Divorce from Attorney General Ken Paxton, Citing Adultery

Texas State Senator Angela Paxton announced Thursday that she has filed for divorce from her husband, Attorney General Ken Paxton, marking a dramatic shift in one of Texas’ most high-profile political marriages. In a statement shared on X, Senator Paxton said, “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, filed in Collin County, lists adultery as the grounds for separation. According to the The Texas Tribune, the couple stopped living together on or around June 1, 2024. While Angela Paxton did not specify the nature of the “recent discoveries” in her public statement, the filing brings renewed attention to longstanding allegations surrounding her husband’s extramarital conduct.

Ken Paxton responded with a statement attributing the separation to “the pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny.” He is currently campaigning to unseat U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary, despite being a central figure in numerous controversies, including a 2023 impeachment by the Texas House. Though acquitted by the Senate, where Angela Paxton was barred from voting or deliberating, Paxton’s legal and ethical record remains under intense public examination.

The divorce could have broader political implications. It may amplify scrutiny over the attorney general’s alleged affair with a former Senate aide, which was a key issue during his impeachment. Investigators say the relationship briefly ended in 2019 after Angela Paxton became aware of it, but resumed in 2020. While Ken Paxton has survived scandals at the ballot box before, the divorce adds another layer of personal controversy that could hinder his Senate bid and affect his standing with key Republican figures, including Donald Trump, whose endorsement remains a critical factor in the race.