Texas State Senator Angela Paxton has filed for divorce from her husband, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, ending their nearly 40-year marriage amid allegations of adultery and political turmoil. The announcement came on Thursday, July 10, 2025, when Angela Paxton posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she was seeking the divorce "on biblical grounds" following "recent discoveries" that made her conclude it was no longer honoring to God or loving to herself, her children, or Ken to remain in the marriage.
"Today, after 38 years of marriage, I filed for divorce on biblical grounds," Angela Paxton wrote. "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. I move forward with complete confidence that God is always working everything together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose." She did not specify what those "recent discoveries" entailed, but court documents obtained by multiple news outlets allege that Ken Paxton committed adultery, which Angela cited as a key reason for the split. The documents also reveal that the couple stopped living together as early as June 2024.
The Paxtons have been a political power couple in Texas for years. Ken Paxton, 62, has served as the state’s attorney general since 2015, after previously serving in both chambers of the Texas Legislature. Angela Paxton, also 62, was elected to the Texas State Senate in 2018 and holds the North Texas seat once occupied by her husband. The couple met at Baylor University and married in 1986. They share four children and five grandchildren and have been active in their faith, helping to found an evangelical megachurch in the 1990s.
Ken Paxton’s tenure as attorney general has been marked by controversy. In 2023, he was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives on 16 articles, including allegations that he abused his office to protect a political donor, Nate Paul, and engaged in an extramarital affair with Laura Olson, a woman employed by Paul. Olson was called to testify during the impeachment trial but was ultimately "deemed unavailable." The Texas Senate narrowly acquitted Paxton in a 16-14 vote, and federal prosecutors later declined to press charges.
Throughout the impeachment proceedings, Angela Paxton attended the trial but was barred from voting on the outcome due to conflict of interest. Despite the public scrutiny, she initially stood by her husband. However, the recent divorce filing signals a dramatic shift.
Ken Paxton responded to the divorce announcement on X, framing the split as the result of "pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny." He wrote, "After facing the pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny, Angela and I have decided to start a new chapter in our lives. I could not be any more proud or grateful for the incredible family that God has blessed us with, and I remain committed to supporting our amazing children and grandchildren. I ask for your prayers and privacy at this time."
The divorce has significant political implications. Ken Paxton recently announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat held by longtime incumbent John Cornyn, setting up a high-stakes Republican primary in 2026. Cornyn has called the divorce a "private matter" but subtly referenced concerns about Paxton’s character. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which supports Cornyn, condemned Paxton’s treatment of his family as "truly repulsive and disgusting." NRSC Communications Director Joanna Rodriguez stated, "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."
Political analysts note the divorce undermines Ken Paxton’s image as a "family values" conservative, a key pillar of his political brand. SMU political science professor Matthew Wilson observed, "Angela Paxton’s tweet focuses much more on the misdeeds of Ken Paxton on presumably infidelity and the things that led to their breakup. There’s no way this can be spun in a positive way for him but he’s clearly trying to diffuse the situation." The divorce could reshape the dynamics of the Republican primary and influence voter perceptions ahead of the 2026 election.
Ken Paxton’s legal battles extend beyond impeachment. In 2015, he was indicted on securities fraud charges related to selling securities without a license and failing to disclose payments to buyers. In March 2024, he entered a pretrial diversion program requiring 100 hours of community service, 15 hours of legal ethics training, and payment of approximately $300,000 in restitution. The case was dismissed last month after Paxton completed the program.
The alleged affair with Laura Olson reportedly began around 2018. Olson, a four-time divorcee and mother of two, had worked for Texas Senator Donna Campbell and was linked to former San Antonio Councilman Clayton Perry. Paxton initially claimed Olson was his realtor but later admitted to the affair, according to Katherine "Missy" Cary, Paxton’s former chief of staff, who overheard Olson discussing Paxton "in a very personal way" at an Austin restaurant. The affair was tied to allegations that Paxton misused his office to aid Nate Paul, who allegedly employed Olson at his real estate firm, facilitating her move to Austin.
The Paxtons’ divorce marks a dramatic and public end to a marriage that has been intertwined with Texas politics for decades. Both remain influential figures in the state’s Republican Party, but the split exposes vulnerabilities in Ken Paxton’s political standing and raises questions about his Senate campaign’s viability. As the GOP primary race heats up, the fallout from this personal and political rupture will be closely watched by voters and party leaders alike.
