A Texas judge ordered the unsealing of court records in the divorce of Attorney General Ken Paxton and state Sen. Angela Paxton after lawyers reached an agreement with news outlets. Angela Paxton filed after 38 years of marriage, citing 'recent discoveries,' and the disclosures could become political fodder ahead of the March 3, 2026, Republican primary. Paxton has faced extensive legal scrutiny in recent years — including a 2024 plea agreement that resolved a securities case and a 2023 impeachment acquittal — yet remains a competitive Senate candidate. Outside groups have already spent heavily to defend Sen. John Cornyn’s seat.
Texas Judge Unseals Ken Paxton Divorce Records; Documents Could Roil Heated Senate Primary
FILE - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, right, listens as his wife, Texas State Sen. Angela Paxton, speaks to anti-abortion activists at a rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington on Nov. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
McKINNEY, Texas — A state judge on Friday ordered that court records detailing the divorce of Texas Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, be unsealed after attorneys for Paxton and a coalition of news organizations reached an agreement. The documents were not immediately available early Friday.
The disclosures could become potent political ammunition in one of the nation’s most heated Republican Senate primaries as Paxton challenges incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. The Texas GOP primary is scheduled for March 3, 2026, and it remains unclear whether the divorce details will sway voters. Paxton remains a competitive contender in a field that includes Rep. Wesley Hunt.
The filing ends a 38-year marriage. Angela Paxton had publicly supported her husband through a prolonged period of legal turmoil that included state and federal investigations. A state securities-fraud indictment against Ken Paxton was dismissed after a 2024 plea agreement in which he agreed to pay restitution and perform community service; the Justice Department also dropped a federal corruption probe earlier this year. His 2023 impeachment trial concluded in acquittal.
Angela Paxton stood beside her husband during the impeachment proceedings, which earlier publicly exposed a reported extramarital affair. In July she announced on social media that she had filed for divorce, citing 'recent discoveries' as her reason for taking that step.
Political Stakes And Spending
Paxton launched his Senate bid in April. His campaign has drawn attacks from the National Republican Senatorial Committee and other GOP-aligned groups concerned that, while he could prevail in the Republican primary, his nomination might complicate the general election and force heavy national spending to hold the seat. According to AdImpact, groups backing Cornyn have already spent more than $21 million on television advertising this year to promote the four-term senator and target Paxton.
“What Ken Paxton has put his family through is truly repulsive and disgusting,” NRSC spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez said in July. “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.”
Paxton has been a vocal ally of former President Donald Trump, who carried Texas by a wide margin in 2024. Trump has not yet endorsed in the Senate contest; his backing could be decisive in the state. On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico are competing in their party’s primary.
The court order — the product of negotiations between Paxton's legal team and media organizations — underscores how private legal and family matters can intersect with high-stakes political contests, potentially reshaping the dynamics of a closely watched Senate race.
