Context:

Angela Paxton, wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has announced her intention to file for divorce citing 'biblical grounds,' ending their 38-year marriage. Her decision follows 'recent discoveries' of her husband's alleged adultery, which has added personal turmoil to his already politically charged career as he campaigns to unseat Senator John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary. Ken Paxton, who has been embroiled in various scandals and was impeached by the Texas House in 2023, acknowledged the political and public scrutiny in his own statement. The divorce announcement has intensified the primary race, with the National Republican Senatorial Committee criticizing Ken Paxton's actions as damaging to his family. Angela Paxton's presence during his impeachment trial, where she was unable to vote, highlights the personal and political complexities intertwined in this unfolding situation.

Dive Deeper:

• Angela Paxton has filed for divorce from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton after 38 years of marriage, citing 'biblical grounds' and alleging adultery. Her decision comes amid his campaign to challenge Senator John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary.

• Ken Paxton, a controversial figure known for his conservative stances and close alliance with former President Donald Trump, has faced numerous scandals, including accusations of bribery and an extramarital affair, leading to his impeachment by the Texas House in 2023.

• The divorce announcement complicates Paxton's political ambitions as Democrats view him as a vulnerable target, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee has issued a statement condemning his actions as harmful to his family.

• Angela Paxton's divorce filing indicates a separation from Ken Paxton since June 2024, and she expressed in a social media post that staying in the marriage no longer honors God or benefits her family.

• Ken Paxton responded to the divorce news by acknowledging the political and public pressures they have faced, expressing gratitude for his family, and requesting privacy during this time.

• Angela Paxton was present during Ken Paxton's Senate impeachment trial, where he faced allegations of an affair with a woman hired by a real estate developer involved in the bribery accusations, though she was not permitted to vote.

• Senator John Cornyn, whom Ken Paxton is challenging, described the divorce as a private matter, while his campaign shared news of Angela Paxton's filing and the NRSC's critical statement, indicating the contentious nature of the primary race.