Ken Paxton wraps up 38-year marriage just days after Texas Senate defeat
The Texas Attorney General's 38-year marriage ended nearly one week after his defeat to Democrat James Talarico.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has completed his divorce from Angela Paxton, according to a lawyer for the former state official. The finalization occurred on Thursday, ending a 38-year marriage that dissolved publicly during one of the most costly midterm election cycles in recent history.
The legal conclusion arrived less than seven days after Paxton, a Republican, lost his bid for the U.S. Senate. He finished behind Democrat James Talarico by double digits in a race that observers described as a referendum on Paxton’s long-standing legal and ethical controversies.
Angela Paxton, a state senator, initiated the divorce proceedings after her husband launched his Senate campaign. She cited allegations of adultery in her filing. In a social media post at the time, she stated she was proceeding on biblical grounds.
Jared Julian, an attorney representing Ken Paxton, confirmed the divorce is final. He said the specific terms will remain private. Julian noted that the couple shares mutual respect. He added that both appear eager to move forward to the next chapters of their lives.
An attorney for Angela Paxton did not respond to requests for comment via phone or email on Thursday. The New York Times was the first outlet to report that the divorce had been finalized.
Angela Paxton remained publicly supportive of the Republican Party even as her marital status changed. In October, one month before the general election, she urged voters to support the GOP ticket. She avoided naming her estranged husband directly in a campaign advertisement. She told viewers, It is not as much about the individual players on the team. It is about getting the whole team across the finish line.
Paxton faced skepticism from some Republican donors throughout the race. Concerns included his history of state and federal corruption investigations and a 2023 state impeachment trial that revealed an extramarital affair. Despite winning a primary against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump, Paxton could not overcome these headwinds in the general election. Democrat Nathan Johnson has been elected to replace Paxton as attorney general and will assume the office in January.
