Texas judge orders unsealing of Ken Paxton divorce records amid heated Senate primary

McKINNEY, Texas — A Texas judge on Friday ordered the release of court documents detailing the divorce of U.S. Senate candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, months after she filed citing “biblical grounds.” The order followed an agreement between attorneys for Paxton and a coalition of media outlets to make the records public. The documents were not immediately available early Friday.

The disclosures are expected to amplify political attacks as Paxton runs in one of the nation’s most contentious Republican primaries to challenge Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton has remained competitive in a race that also features Rep. Wesley Hunt, despite years of controversy surrounding the attorney general. The divorce, filed after 38 years of marriage, has drawn scrutiny to the Paxtons’ public and political partnership, including Angela Paxton’s past support during a string of legal troubles for her husband.

The Paxtons’ marriage has been a central thread in a larger narrative that has included a state securities fraud indictment against Ken Paxton that was dismissed following a 2024 plea deal, in which he agreed to restitution and community service, and a federal corruption probe that the Department of Justice dropped earlier this year. His 2023 impeachment trial ended in acquittal, and Angela Paxton stood by his side during that impeachment, which publicly exposed his extramarital affair. Angela Paxton’s July announcement that she was filing for divorce cited “recent discoveries.” The unfolding records promise to illuminate a high-profile political and legal saga as Paxton presses forward with his bid to unseat Cornyn.

Paxton’s campaign has drawn scrutiny from party committees and opponents who worry that the disclosures could complicate the GOP primary or force national Republican groups to spend more in a contest that could determine control of the Senate. In Texas, Paxton built a sturdy base and won reelection in 2022 by almost 10 percentage points, a margin that has helped sustain his bid to move from state to federal office. He announced his Senate run in April and has since faced heated opposition from the Senate Republican campaign arm, which has questioned his electability in a general election and suggested the race could require substantial fundraising and outside spending to defend.

On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico have faced off in their party’s primary, adding to a crowded landscape in Texas politics as the state leans more competitive in statewide races. Groups aligned with Cornyn have been active in advertising, spending millions on television to promote the incumbent and to portray Paxton as a risky primary choice, according to industry observers.

Trump’s footprint in Texas remains a factor in the race, though he has not yet endorsed in the Paxton-Cornyn contest. The former president won the state in 2024 by roughly 14 percentage points, and his eventual position could tilt fundraising and volunteer support in a contest that will shape the balance of power in Congress. Political analysts have noted that endorsements can play a decisive role in Texas, but until a formal position is announced, strategists on both sides are weighing the potential impact of the unsealed records and the broader implications for the campaign.

The unsealing marks a moment of heightened leverage for Paxton’s opponents, who have long argued that the divorce and associated personal turmoil would be relevant to voters deciding whether to support a candidate with a history of legal challenges. Paxton’s legal and political teams have already prepared messaging surrounding the divorce documents as opponents gear up for debate over personal conduct and public accountability. Whether the disclosures change the dynamics of the primary remains uncertain as voters narrow their choices ahead of the March 3 election.

As the records become public, observers expect broader discussions about transparency, accountability, and the intersection of personal and professional life in high-stakes political races. The case underscores the ways in which personal trajectories can intersect with policy debates in a state where party competition is intensifying and national attention is increasingly focused on Texas’s Senate contest. The records’ release could shape how people view Paxton’s temperament, leadership style, and ability to govern in a closely divided national climate, even as he seeks to translate years of controversy into electoral momentum.

For now, thePaxtons’ divorce remains a personally wrenching chapter that has already influenced public perception of the race. The court-ordered unsealing adds a new layer to a sprawling story that spans state politics, federal investigations, and a national primary battle that could have long-lasting implications for control of the U.S. Senate.