Court documents revealing the divorce between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and state Sen. Angela Paxton were released Friday, months after she filed citing biblical grounds.
Background of the Paxtons’ Marriage and Legal History
Angela Paxton and Ken Paxton had been married for 38 years, during which she supported him through numerous legal challenges. Their marriage faced scrutiny amid state and federal corruption investigations, a state securities fraud indictment that was dismissed after a 2024 plea deal, and a federal corruption probe that was dropped earlier in the year. Paxton also endured an impeachment trial in 2023 that exposed an extramarital affair; the trial ended with an acquittal.
Divorce Filing and Legal Process
In July, Angela Paxton announced on social media that she had filed for divorce on the basis of adultery, citing “recent discoveries.” Her initial petition listed adultery as the sole ground, without elaborating on the allegations. Ken Paxton responded in a separate filing, denying the accusations made in the divorce petition. The divorce documents were sealed following Angela Paxton’s request shortly after filing, but a judge later approved an agreement to release them. Judge Robert Brotherton approved the agreement on Friday, and another judge signed the order to seal the records, creating a legal framework for future filings to be made public.
Media Intervention and Document Unsealing
A coalition of media outlets and the nonprofit Campaign for Accountability intervened to have the documents unsealed. Tyler Bexley, attorney for the media intervenors, told reporters that the unsealing was a victory for the American public and Texas voters. Ken Paxton, in a filing after the intervention, stated that he opposed the public release of the documents.
Political Implications and Campaign Dynamics
The divorce and surrounding speculation have intensified attacks against Paxton in one of the nation’s most heated Republican primaries, as he seeks to unseat Sen. John Cornyn. The Texas Senate primary is scheduled for March 3, and the race also includes Rep. Wesley Hunt. Despite years of controversy, Paxton has remained competitive, having won reelection in 2022 by nearly 10 percentage points. Some within the Republican Party worry that Paxton could win the primary but complicate the general election, potentially requiring national Republicans to spend heavily to retain the seat. On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico are competing in their party’s primary. Groups supporting Cornyn have spent more than $21 million on television ads this year, according to AdImpact, to promote the four-term senator and attack Paxton. In July, National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez said, “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.” Bexley said Friday that media outlets he represents believe that voters have the right to know information about the case as “they are making decisions in the upcoming elections.”
Key Takeaways
The unsealed divorce documents underscore a complex interplay of personal, legal, and political forces, and their impact on voters will become clearer as the March 3 primary approaches.
