A state court in Texas has ordered the records related to the divorce of Attorney General Ken Paxton to be sealed, following a petition filed by his wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, which accused him of adultery. The order was issued in the 429th District Court in Collin County, north of Dallas, after a request from Mrs. Paxton’s attorney.
This ruling means that additional details regarding the couple's high-profile separation will not be accessible to the public, a development that could have implications for the upcoming U.S. Senate race in Texas.
Mr. Paxton, a conservative figure with strong support among Republican voters, is set to challenge Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary scheduled for 2026, where he has been leading in public opinion polls.
In her statement, Mrs. Paxton indicated that she filed for divorce “on biblical grounds” and “in light of recent discoveries,” implying that new revelations about their relationship influenced her decision. The divorce petition noted that the couple had been living apart since June 2024, and cited adultery as a reason for the divorce.
Mr. Paxton attributed the strain in their relationship to the pressures of public life and ongoing political attacks, requesting privacy during this time.
The announcement of the divorce has taken many in Texas by surprise, particularly as Mrs. Paxton has remained supportive of her husband throughout various legal challenges, including a state court indictment for securities fraud and an impeachment trial in which he faced accusations of misusing his office.
Mr. Paxton was acquitted by the Republican-controlled State Senate after a two-week trial in 2023. Although he did not admit wrongdoing in the securities fraud case, he settled last year, agreeing to pay restitution and complete community service.
The judge initially assigned to the divorce case, Jill Renfro Willis, recused herself due to her husband’s connections with Mr. Paxton. It remains unclear who will oversee the case moving forward.
As of Saturday, neither Mrs. Paxton’s attorney nor Mr. Paxton’s office had responded to inquiries regarding the sealing of the records.
The divorce proceedings may bolster Mr. Cornyn's argument that the election is a “test of character” and that Mr. Paxton may not be suitable for the position. Mr. Paxton, a long-time ally of former President Trump, has criticized Mr. Cornyn for not being conservative enough.
Both candidates were present in Kerrville, Texas, on Friday during Mr. Trump’s visit to an area affected by severe flooding. They have been vying for an endorsement from Mr. Trump, who has yet to publicly support either candidate in the race.