Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — now also a Republican Senate candidate aiming to unseat Sen. John Cornyn — is facing serious scrutiny following an Associated Press report that raises flags not just about legality, but about basic common sense and ethical judgment.
Multiple “Primary” Residences? That’s Not How It Works
According to the AP’s investigation, Paxton and his estranged wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, have claimed three different homes as their primary residence — a move that, on paper, can yield substantial financial benefits, including:
Lower mortgage interest rates, typically reserved for owner-occupied, primary homes.
Homestead tax exemptions, which are designed to offer homeowners property tax relief — but only on one primary residence.
Let’s be clear: You can only have one primary residence at a time. That’s not a gray area in tax law or lending; it’s a cornerstone of both systems. Claiming otherwise — and receiving benefits multiple times over — doesn’t just defy the rules, it defies basic logic.
The Paxton Property Portfolio
Here’s what the Paxtons reportedly own, according to the AP:
Dallas-area home ($1.5 million)
Longtime residence; voting and political registration address.
Homestead tax exemption claimed.
Located in Angela Paxton’s Senate district — which is a legal requirement for her to serve.
Austin home #1 (purchased in 2015)
Location: Texas capital, convenient for state legislative work.
Austin home #2 ($1.1 million)
Also claimed as a primary residence.
Also received a homestead tax break in 2018.
College Station home
Mortgage specifies it cannot be rented.
Nonetheless, listed for rent intermittently since at least 2022.
Broken Bow, Oklahoma “luxury cabin”
$1.2 million mortgage with same restriction against renting.
Actively rented on Airbnb and other vacation platforms.
So in total, that’s five homes — three of which have been treated like primary residences (on paper), and two of which are being monetized in direct violation of their mortgage terms.
The Financial Incentives Behind It
By claiming more than one home as a primary residence, the Paxtons received:
Lower interest rates on mortgages (typically reserved for owner-occupied homes).
Multiple homestead exemptions, potentially saving thousands per year on property taxes.
The ability to work the system in ways most regular homeowners can’t — or wouldn’t dare to try.
It’s estimated that the Paxtons’ maneuvering could have saved them tens of thousands of dollars in interest and taxes. But at what cost to their credibility?
Divorce, Disarray, and a Senate Run
This news drops at a politically sensitive time for Paxton. He’s currently running in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate, challenging longtime Senator John Cornyn. At the same time, Angela Paxton — his wife of 36 years — recently filed for divorce.
Amid the personal turmoil, Paxton is also under the shadow of multiple investigations and past indictments, including a long-standing securities fraud case and alleged abuse of office. Now, the property revelations only compound the perception that the attorney general is willing to play by his own rules — financially and politically.
Why This Matters — Beyond Partisan Politics
This story isn’t about party lines; it’s about public trust. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, basic standards should apply:
You don’t get to claim three primary residences.
You don’t get multiple homestead tax breaks.
You don’t sign legal agreements to not rent out a property — and then list it on Airbnb.
For an ordinary citizen, such actions would raise red flags with mortgage lenders, tax assessors, and possibly prosecutors. For the state’s top law enforcement officer — now aspiring to join the U.S. Senate — the stakes are even higher.
The Bottom Line
Ken Paxton owes Texans an explanation. Right now, he’s running for higher office while under multiple clouds — legal, ethical, and now, real estate-related. No one expects perfection from public officials, but voters do expect honesty, accountability, and the common sense not to claim three different homes as your "primary residence."
Until he addresses these questions head-on, voters may rightly wonder: if you can’t trust someone with their mortgage paperwork, can you trust them in the U.S. Senate?
