Texas AG Ken Paxton's National Travel and Spending Under Scrutiny

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has increasingly focused on a national political profile, undertaking numerous out-of-state trips and leaving a significant number of workdays unaccounted for on his official calendars, according to an Associated Press review of state and campaign records. Since taking office in 2015, Paxton has left approximately 730 workdays blank and undertaken more than 275 trips to destinations ranging from California wineries and Caribbean resorts to European hot spots and ski towns. These travels, covered by taxpayer funds for his security detail, have cost at least $1.9 million.

The pattern of extensive travel became more pronounced as Paxton gained prominence in conservative media and pursued legal challenges against President Joe Biden's agenda, earning favor with former President Donald Trump. While his early tenure featured packed calendars with state-specific duties, the number of blank workdays rose sharply in recent years, reaching 112 in 2024. Texas does not mandate detailed reporting of the attorney general's daily whereabouts, making it difficult to ascertain the exact purpose or duration of many out-of-state trips, though security expense reimbursements for travel outside Texas have significantly increased.

Joshua Blank, director of research for the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, noted that this pattern could lead voters to question Paxton's commitment to his job, but added that past accusations have not significantly impacted him politically. Paxton's travel and record have become a focal point in his Senate campaign against Democratic opponent James Talarico, who has criticized Paxton for alleged focus on national politics over Texan issues and for misidentifying a Texas town during a public statement.

Concerns have also been raised regarding Paxton's personal life, with reports of an alleged romantic relationship with a Christian influencer, Tracy Duhon, coinciding with his wife's divorce filing on grounds of infidelity. Paxton's campaign and office have declined to comment on specific travel expenses or their financing, with a statement from Paxton's office asserting that calendars do not fully reflect daily work, including calls, negotiations, and strategy sessions. The office also stated that travel with a security detail is necessary due to threats stemming from Paxton's work on behalf of Texas.

Paxton's tenure has been marked by legal and political scrutiny, including an FBI investigation, a settlement of a felony securities fraud case, and impeachment by the House of Representatives on accusations of abusing his office, though he was later acquitted by the Senate. His political survival has been attributed to strong support from his conservative base and his alignment with Donald Trump. Paxton has leveraged his office for conservative causes, notably spearheading an unsuccessful effort to overturn the 2020 election results and filing numerous lawsuits against the Biden administration.

Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, described Paxton's approach as a highly effective use of the "activist" model for attorneys general, where "culture war litigation became a central function of his office."

Paxton's official calendars show a shift from routine state attorney general duties in his early years to fewer listings of such activities in recent years. Former deputies have testified that Paxton was often absent and delegated day-to-day responsibilities. Over a two-year period ending in 2024, his travel included multiple international destinations and ski resorts, with significant public costs for his security detail.

In 2022, a year he ran for reelection, Paxton's calendar showed fewer blank days but a high number of conservative media interviews, which outnumbered events related to his office's operations the following year. Despite rhetoric from Texas conservatives, including Paxton himself, critical of California, records indicate Paxton has taken over 25 trips to the state, costing taxpayers more than $175,000. He has expressed a liking for California's wine country, where he has visited at least five times, using campaign funds for lodging and vineyard tours on some occasions.

While the source of funding for much of Paxton's travel remains unclear, his personal net worth has reportedly increased significantly in recent years, with financial disclosures indicating millions in assets, though the figures have fluctuated. His travel has also included frequent visits to Washington D.C. and Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private club in Palm Beach, Florida, including holding a fundraiser at the club and traveling via private jet.