Quick Take: An Associated Press review found Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s out‑of‑state travel has cost taxpayers about $1.9 million in security over his 11‑year tenure. Records show more than 275 trips and roughly 730 blank workdays on official calendars, with notable stops including the Masters, Napa Valley and multiple European trips. Paxton’s office defends the travel as part of his duties and necessary security; critics say the pattern shows a lack of availability for state responsibilities.
AP: Ken Paxton’s Out‑of‑State Travel Cost Texas $1.9M in Security — Masters, Napa and Europe Among Trips
Texas Republican Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks on stage on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center on September 09, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Associated Press records show Texas Attorney General and Republican U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton’s out‑of‑state travel has resulted in roughly $1.9 million in taxpayer‑funded security expenses during his 11 years in office. The AP review of state and campaign records found Paxton’s travel increased markedly since his 2015 election and often coincided with long stretches of time with sparse entries on his official calendars.
What The Records Show
The AP found Paxton has taken more than 275 trips outside Texas and left about 730 workdays blank on his official calendars. High‑profile outings include a trip to the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga., shortly after launching his Senate campaign that cost taxpayers at least $25,000 in security, multiple visits to California (more than 25 trips totaling roughly $175,000 in state security costs), and a 2019 Napa Valley fundraising visit billed to his campaign for $11,000 while the state covered approximately $8,100 in security.
Between 2022 and 2024 Paxton traveled to the Caribbean, Israel, India, Taiwan and South Africa, made three European trips and visited five Rocky Mountain ski towns. Earlier reporting by the Dallas Morning News noted a 2022 European trip with about $230,000 in security costs.
Criticism, Context And Responses
Critics — including Democratic nominee State Rep. James Talarico — have seized on the travel and the apparent calendar gaps as evidence Paxton has been away from official duties. During Paxton’s 2023 impeachment proceedings, former deputy attorney general Mark Penley told investigators he had limited contact with the attorney general because “he was gone a lot, he was traveling, he was out.”
“I didn't have a whole lot of contact with Attorney General Paxton ... he was gone a lot, he was traveling, he was out.” — Mark Penley, former deputy AG
Paxton’s office told the Associated Press that calendar entries do not capture full workdays — noting calls, briefings, negotiations and case strategy can occur off calendar — and reiterated that Paxton travels with security because of credible threats. Forbes also contacted Paxton’s office for comment.
Political Stakes
Paxton has become a prominent figure in former President Donald Trump’s political orbit, leading efforts to challenge the 2020 election results and suing the Biden administration more than 100 times. Trump’s endorsement helped Paxton defeat incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary, but many polls show Paxton trailing Talarico in the general election amid broader concerns about Trump‑era politics. In a recently leaked recording reported by The New York Times, Paxton acknowledged that the party’s unconventional midterm convention hurt Republican polling.
This reporting raises questions about the balance between campaign activity, media appearances and official duties — and about how much of the security bill for high‑profile elected officials should be borne by taxpayers when those officials travel for political or personal reasons.
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