How Ken Paxton’s divorce is reshaping the Texas Senate race

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (Courtesy: Reuters file photo)

Firebrand Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, long known for surviving scandals with fierce support from the Republican base, now faces a new personal and political crisis. His wife, Republican state senator Angela Paxton, has filed for divorce after 38 years of marriage, accusing him of adultery “on biblical grounds” — just as he gears up for one of the most high-stakes GOP Senate primaries in the country, the Washington Post reported.

A new kind of scandal

While Paxton has weathered impeachment, fraud charges, and ethics investigations, this latest episode has proved different. Conservative groups like Texas Values, once loyal backers, have pulled their endorsements, citing the gravity of Angela Paxton’s allegations and the campaign’s failure to address them clearly. "There’s no question that adultery is an attack on marriage," said Texas Values President Jonathan Saenz.

Angela Paxton’s divorce petition revives years-old rumours about her husband’s alleged infidelity, including claims he used a fake Uber alias, “Dave P.,” to conduct an extramarital affair. The accusations were part of his 2023 impeachment proceedings, which he survived. But this time, his wife’s public break and the conservative values at stake have prompted some supporters to reconsider their stance.

Cornyn seizes the moment

US Sen. John Cornyn, fighting to hold his seat against Paxton’s populist challenge, had previously refrained from personal attacks. Now, his campaign is subtly amplifying the divorce narrative. A recent digital ad brought up “Dave P.” and accused Paxton of “embarrassing his family once” and being “at it again.” Cornyn has suggested the divorce will reinforce concerns about Paxton’s character, adding, “Every time you peel back one layer of corruption, there’s something beneath.”

With Paxton leading in early polling, Cornyn’s team sees Angela Paxton’s decision as a possible turning point — especially with filing deadlines nearing and potential challengers like Rep. Wesley Hunt waiting in the wings.

Trump’s silence and the evangelical test

Both candidates are vying for the support of US President Donald Trump, who has so far stayed neutral. While Cornyn has voted reliably with Trump, Paxton has championed MAGA causes and cast his legal troubles as political persecution — a tactic that’s earned him fierce loyalty from Trump’s base.

Still, Paxton’s standing with religious conservatives — once a pillar of his support — is now more fragile. The divorce has prompted soul-searching among churchgoing Republicans, with some saying they can no longer back him. Others, however, dismiss the personal allegations as irrelevant. “What he does behind closed doors doesn’t affect me,” said one longtime voter in Collin County.

A race transformed

Paxton’s fundraising reportedly spiked after the divorce was announced, signalling that many core supporters remain. But his vulnerabilities are growing, and Cornyn — once considered the establishment favourite — is now fighting to close the polling gap and secure a potential Trump endorsement before the GOP primary heats up.

Angela Paxton’s move, seen by some as courageous and principled, has reshaped a race already steeped in drama. Whether it marks the beginning of Paxton’s political unravelling or just another chapter in his scandal-tested career remains to be seen. As one Cornyn advisor put it, “This latest saga represents a tectonic shift in the race.”