Paxton Campaign Criticizes 'Disgusting' Investigation into Girlfriend's Democratic Voter Registration
A New York Times report reveals Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's girlfriend is registered as a Democrat in Louisiana, prompting a swift rebuke from his Senate campaign.
The campaign for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has denounced a New York Times investigation into his relationship with Christian influencer Tracy Duhon, calling the report "disgusting" and "invasive." The investigation revealed that Duhon, who is reportedly dating Paxton, is registered as a Democrat in Louisiana and not registered to vote in Texas.
Paxton is currently engaged in a closely contested race for the U.S. Senate against Democrat James Talarico. Recent polling averages show a tight contest, with RealClearPolitics indicating Talarico leading by 1.8 points, though a Fox News poll found the candidates tied.
The relationship between Paxton and Duhon reportedly began in May 2024, after they met at the Kentucky Derby. Both were reportedly married to other individuals at the time, according to earlier reporting by the Daily Mail. The pair have been seen traveling together, including a trip to Iceland and London. They are also linked to a five-bedroom home in Frisco, north of Dallas, which Paxton has recently used as his mailing address.
Duhon, an aspiring Christian influencer, has built a public profile centered on faith and family. She co-founded the Christian nonprofit Giving Hope NOLA with her ex-husband, Troy Duhon. Her upcoming book discusses themes of loss, betrayal, and divorce.
Paxton has faced a series of legal and political challenges. He was indicted on felony securities fraud charges in 2015, a case he settled in 2024 without admitting wrongdoing. In 2023, the Texas House impeached him on allegations of abusing his office to benefit a political donor. He was acquitted in his subsequent Senate impeachment trial.
The New York Times report also noted that Paxton has visited the New Orleans area at least five times since mid-2024. While his office documented official business for two of these trips, records for the other three were not available, and his security detail incurred over $13,000 in expenses for these undocumented trips.
Paxton's wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, filed for divorce in July 2025, stating that recent discoveries made it difficult to remain in the marriage. The couple had reportedly not lived together as spouses since June 2024. Angela Paxton recently appeared in a campaign ad for Republicans, endorsing the party's candidates without specifically mentioning her estranged husband.
Paxton's campaign spokeswoman, Madison Cercy, dismissed the New York Times report, stating it had no bearing on the issues important to Texans. She declined to comment on the specifics of Paxton and Duhon's relationship and instead raised questions about Talarico's dating history. Some of Paxton's allies have defended him, emphasizing his role as a Christian who can uphold religious values in public policy.