Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s divorce finalized after Senate defeat

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s divorce from his wife, state senator Angela Paxton, has been finalized, his lawyer confirmed on Thursday.

The filing came shortly after Paxton, a Republican, lost the U.S. Senate race to Democrat James Talarico, a contest that saw a strong Democratic swing in the mid‑term elections. Angela Paxton had cited allegations of adultery when she sought to end their 38‑year marriage, posting on social media that the divorce was on “biblical grounds.”

Ken Paxton’s attorney, Jared Julian, said the settlement terms will remain private but observed that the former couple “share a mutual respect for one another” and appear ready to move on to “the next chapters of their lives.” An attorney for Angela Paxton did not respond to requests for comment.

The divorce was first reported by The New York Times. Throughout Paxton’s Senate campaign, some Republicans viewed him as a potential drain on party resources due to longstanding legal and ethical controversies, including a 2023 state impeachment trial that revealed an extramarital affair. Despite winning the Republican primary and securing former President Donald Trump’s endorsement, Paxton was unable to overcome the Democratic challenge.

Democrat Nathan Johnson has been elected as Texas’s new attorney general and will assume office in January.

Source: ABC News. Photo: Gavin Young / Pexels.