State Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) has filed for divorce from her husband, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), after nearly four decades of marriage, according to court documents filed Thursday. The announcement marks a significant personal shift for one of the state’s most politically prominent couples, coming amid ongoing political battles and lingering fallout from the attorney general’s 2023 impeachment trial.
Ken Paxton, who has served as Texas attorney general since 2015, is currently running a high-profile campaign to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary. The divorce adds another layer of complexity to his already scrutinized public life, which has included allegations of corruption and personal misconduct.
In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), the attorney general acknowledged the couple’s separation, framing it as a mutual step forward after years of pressure.
“After facing the pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny, Angela and I have decided to start a new chapter in our lives,” he wrote. “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.”
Angela Paxton, a former educator who was elected to the Texas Senate in 2018, offered her own perspective on the split in a separate post on X. She cited religious conviction and personal integrity in explaining the decision.
“Today, after 38 years of marriage, I filed for divorce on biblical grounds,” she 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.”
The couple met as students at Baylor University and married in 1986. They have four children and five grandchildren.
The divorce comes less than two years after Ken Paxton was impeached by the Texas House in May 2023 on allegations including bribery and abuse of office. He was ultimately acquitted by the Texas Senate in September of that year, but the proceedings put the spotlight on serious personal and professional allegations—most notably an alleged extramarital affair.
During the impeachment investigation, lawmakers scrutinized claims that Paxton had an affair with a woman named Laura Olson, who was linked to Austin real estate investor Nate Paul. Paul, who was later convicted on separate charges, allegedly offered favors to Paxton in exchange for legal help. Olson was named as a possible witness but did not testify during the Senate trial.
Although Angela Paxton attended her husband’s impeachment trial, she did not participate in the vote, as she was barred from doing so under Senate rules.
The allegations of infidelity became a central theme in the proceedings, contributing to public speculation about the state of the Paxtons’ marriage. At the time, Paxton’s legal team denied that any bribe had been offered and insisted that Olson had not been given a job through improper channels.
While the attorney general survived the impeachment politically, the personal cost appears to have been considerable. Angela Paxton’s reference to “recent discoveries” in her statement suggests that issues raised during the trial may have played a direct role in her decision.
With the divorce now public, attention will likely turn to how this development might affect both Paxtons’ political futures. Angela Paxton has not announced plans regarding her own re-election in Senate District 8, while Ken Paxton continues to gear up for a primary challenge against one of Texas’s most entrenched Republicans.
