Court Documents to Be Made Public
On Friday, a Texas judge ruled that divorce records for U.S. Senate candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife, state Senator Angela Paxton, must be released. This decision came after attorneys for Paxton and a media coalition reached an agreement to make the documents public. The records were not immediately accessible early Friday.
Political Implications
The disclosure of these documents could intensify attacks against Paxton in one of the nation's most competitive Republican primaries, where he aims to challenge Senator John Cornyn. With the Senate primary scheduled for March 3 next year, it remains uncertain how divorce details will influence voters. Despite ongoing controversies, Paxton has maintained a strong position in the race, which also includes Representative Wesley Hunt.
Background of the Divorce
The divorce filing follows 38 years of marriage, during which Angela Paxton supported her husband through numerous legal challenges. These included state and federal corruption investigations. A state securities fraud indictment against Ken Paxton was dismissed in 2024 after a plea deal requiring restitution and community service. The Justice Department also dropped a federal corruption probe earlier this year, and his 2023 impeachment trial resulted in acquittal.
Angela Paxton stood by her husband during the impeachment trial, which publicly revealed his extramarital affair. However, in July, she announced on social media that she had filed for divorce, citing "recent discoveries."
Campaign Dynamics
Paxton launched his campaign to unseat Cornyn in April and has since faced criticism from Senate Republicans' campaign arm. Some party members worry that while Paxton might win the GOP primary, he could complicate the general election, forcing national Republicans to invest heavily to retain the seat. On the Democratic side, U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett and state Representative James Talarico are competing in their party's primary.
Groups supporting Cornyn have spent over $21 million on television ads this year to promote the senator and criticize Paxton. In July, National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez stated, "What Ken Paxton has put his family through is truly repulsive and disgusting. 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."
Political Support and Endorsements
Paxton has been a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, whereas Cornyn has occasionally faced party criticism for collaborating with Democrats. Trump's endorsement is anticipated to be a key factor in Texas, where he won by nearly 14 percentage points in 2024, though he has not yet endorsed in this race.
