Who Is Ken Paxton? Texas Attorney General’s Wife Files for Divorce Amid Adultery Allegations

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, one of the state’s most prominent and controversial political figures, is back in the headlines—not for legal troubles or political maneuvers, but for personal ones. On July 10, his wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, announced that she has filed for divorce after 38 years of marriage, citing “biblical grounds” and “recent discoveries” that suggest the marriage no longer honors God, herself, or their family.

Angela Paxton specifically accuses her husband of adultery, according to court documents obtained by The Texas Tribune.

Who Is Ken Paxton?

Ken Paxton has served as the Attorney General of Texas since 2015. A Republican and outspoken Donald Trump ally, he has built a reputation as a hardline conservative, especially on issues like immigration, voter fraud, and religious liberty.

Before becoming attorney general, Paxton served as:

• A Texas State Representative (2003–2013)

• A Texas State Senator (2013–2015)

He earned degrees from Baylor University (psychology and MBA) and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He met Angela, his now-estranged wife, at Baylor.

The couple shares four children and two grandchildren.

Paxton’s Political Aspirations Continue

Despite the mounting controversies, Ken Paxton announced in April 2025 that he would challenge U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the 2026 GOP primary, further escalating internal tensions within the Texas Republican Party.

Ken Paxton’s Legal Troubles and Impeachment

Ken Paxton’s political career has long been dogged by serious legal and ethical controversies, including:

• Impeachment in 2023 by the Texas House on bribery and abuse of power allegations; he was later acquitted by the Texas Senate.

• A long-running securities fraud case stemming from 2016, which was finally dismissed in 2024 under a pretrial agreement.

• Allegations of extramarital affairs, which featured in the impeachment proceedings.

• Attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which led to lawsuits from the State Bar of Texas and federal scrutiny.

It is not yet clear if the adultery cited in Angela Paxton’s divorce petition is related to the affair discussed during impeachment.

Angela Paxton’s Divorce Announcement

On X (formerly Twitter), Angela Paxton said: “Today, after 38 years of marriage, I filed for divorce on biblical grounds. 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.”

Ken Paxton released a separate statement, blaming the separation on “the pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny.”

Court filings also reveal the couple has lived apart since June 2024.

What Comes Next?

The divorce filing, coming amid Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign and lingering controversies, raises questions about how the separation—and possible public trial—could affect his political future. His relationship with Angela Paxton has long been both personal and political, as she serves in the Texas Senate, where she did not recuse herself during her husband’s impeachment trial.