State Sen. Angela Paxton, estranged wife of Texas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton, has urged GOP voters to support her husband in the upcoming election, emphasizing the importance of retaining the party's control over the seat. Her remarks come after she filed for divorce from the Texas Attorney General in July 2025, citing "biblical grounds," including adultery and irreconcilable differences.
Speaking at an event themed "the elephant in the room," Angela Paxton likened the political seat to a family matter. "We have more control over that seat and the future when we control the seat, when it’s still in the family, even if we’re mad at them," she stated, prompting laughter from the audience. This is the first public address from the state senator regarding the race since her divorce filing.
Democrats are targeting this Texas seat in their bid to gain control of the Senate. A recent Fox News poll indicates a close race, with Democratic candidate James Talarico holding a 3-point lead over Ken Paxton, 51% to 48%. Fox News has classified the race as a toss-up.
In her divorce filing, Angela Paxton described her husband's alleged adultery and stated that the marriage had become "insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities." She further explained her decision in a social media post, writing, "after 38 years of marriage, I filed for divorce on biblical grounds." She added, "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."
Despite the personal turmoil, Angela Paxton encouraged Republican voters to prioritize party loyalty in the midterm elections. "If we lose it to the other team, the nuances that we want to fix with maybe a certain candidate are nothing compared to what it’s going to take to get it back," she argued. She explained that voters often support candidates based on personal preference, but the party affiliation comes with the candidate, and maintaining party control allows for greater influence.
Ken Paxton secured victory in a contentious primary, defeating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. He has since faced challenges in the general election against Talarico. Paxton has accused Talarico of being a "fake" moderate, referencing past statements Talarico made about gender and sexuality. Paxton has received endorsements from former President Donald Trump and financial support from Trump's MAGA Inc. political action committee and Elon Musk’s America PAC.
In a recent interview, Talarico walked back some of his earlier comments, stating they had "missed the mark." He defended his legislative record, asserting his ability to unite Democrats and Republicans to pass bipartisan bills that address Texans' economic concerns.