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- Angela Paxton Files for Divorce from TX AG Ken Paxton, Cites Biblical Grounds After 38 Years
Angela Paxton Files for Divorce from TX AG Ken Paxton, Cites Biblical Grounds After 38 Years
Angela Paxton Files for Divorce Amid Scandal
Key Takeaways
💔 Angela Paxton filed for divorce from Ken Paxton after 38 years of marriage, citing “biblical grounds” and “recent discoveries” .
⚖️ Court documents explicitly state adultery as the grounds for divorce, referencing Ken Paxton’s alleged affair with Laura Olson .
🏛️ The divorce complicates Ken Paxton’s 2026 U.S. Senate campaign against John Cornyn, with political allies condemning his conduct .
💰 Angela seeks disproportionate assets, including their McKinney home, citing Ken’s “fault” and higher earning power .
🗓️ The couple separated in June 2024 but maintained appearances until the filing .
The Announcement: Ending 38 Years of Marriage
State Sen. Angela Paxton dropped a political bombshell when she filed for divorce from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on July 10, 2025. In a terse social media statement, she cited “biblical grounds” and vague “recent discoveries” as her reasons. She wrote how marriage is a “sacred covenant” but staying married no longer honored God or herself . Ken’s response? He blamed “countless political attacks and public scrutiny” for the split, calling it a mutual “new chapter” . But court papers tell a sharper story—Angela alleges adultery as the core reason, marking a brutal end to a marriage that’s weathered multiple scandals .
The timing’s awkward, real awkward. Ken’s deep in a Republican primary battle against U.S. Senator John Cornyn, trying to leverage his far-right cred and Trump ties. Angela’s filing doesn’t just wreck their personal narrative; it dumps fuel on Cornyn’s attacks about Ken’s “spotty ethics record” . Family values rhetoric’s kinda hard to sell when your wife publicly accuses you of cheating, ya know?
Key Details from Filing
📅 Separation Date: June 1, 2024 (over 13 months pre-filing)
⛪ Grounds: Adultery, per court docs
👨👩👧 Family Impact: Angela referenced protecting “my children” and “grandchildren”
What “Biblical Grounds” Really Means Here
Angela’s phrasing—”biblical grounds”—isn’t just churchy jargon. In conservative Christian circles (which the Paxtons inhabit deeply), it typically means adultery or abandonment. She avoided specifics in her statement, but the filing spells it out: Ken “committed adultery,” full stop . This ain’t new gossip either. Back during Ken’s 2023 impeachment trial, aides testified he’d had an affair with Laura Olson, a former Senate staffer linked to Nate Paul—a donor Ken allegedly bent laws to help .
Angela knew ’bout the affair in 2019, briefly split from Ken, then reconciled. The relationship restarted in 2020 though, per investigators . So why file now? Her wording—”recent discoveries”—suggests she learned something new, maybe proof the affair continued or other betrayals . For an evangelical politician’s wife who’d stood by him through fraud charges and impeachment, this move’s a nuclear option. She’s essentially testifying: He broke God’s covenant first .
Laura Olson: The Woman Central to the Scandal
Laura Olson ain’t a random name here. She’s the former Senate aide Ken allegedly had an affair with starting in 2018. Key details ’bout her:
🔍 Discovery: Ken’s chief of staff, Katherine Cary, overheard Olson talking ’bout him “in a very personal way” at an Austin restaurant .
🤥 Cover-up: Ken first called Olson his “realtor” before admitting the affair .
💼 Nate Paul Tie: Olson worked for real estate developer Nate Paul—a Paxton donor who got favors from Ken’s office while under FBI investigation .
Olson was even subpoenaed for Ken’s impeachment trial in 2023. She showed up but never testified, leaving the courtroom under swirling rumors . Angela attended every day of that trial, forced to sit silently as aides described her husband’s infidelity. Imagine the humiliation—publicly hearing ’bout the affair while barred from voting on his fate . Olson’s role ain’t just personal; it’s tangled in bribery claims that nearly sunk Ken’s career.
Political Partners to Estranged Spouses
Angela and Ken weren’t just married; they were a political machine. They met at Baylor University, married in ’86, and climbed Texas GOP ranks together . When Ken became AG in 2015, Angela took his old Senate seat in 2019—with a $2 million loan from Ken boosting her campaign . She even sang pro-Paxton jingles at rallies: “I’m a pistol-packin’ mama, and my husband sues Obama!” .
As a senator, Angela pushed bills expanding the AG office’s power—Ken’s office . She also voted on budgets funding his salary. Critics called this a conflict, but it got messier during impeachment. The trial exposed how Ken used his position to help Olson’s employer, Nate Paul. Angela couldn’t vote due to spousal bias rules, but her presence was a stark reminder: This scandal’s also her trauma . Their partnership shielded Ken for years. Now? She’s his legal adversary.
Impact on Ken Paxton’s Senate Run
Timing’s everything in politics, and Angela’s filing hits Ken’s campaign like a sledgehammer. He’s trying to unseat John Cornyn—a 22-year Senate incumbent—by painting himself as the “true conservative.” But Cornyn’s already jabbed Ken’s “character” , and the divorce gives ammo:
🎯 NRSC Attack: The National Republican Senatorial Committee (pro-Cornyn) called Ken’s conduct “repulsive and disgusting” and praised Angela’s courage .
🗳️ Evangelical Voters: Ken’s “biblical” adultery undermines his family-values pitch to critical GOP base .
🏛️ Trump’s Silence: Trump’s discussed the race with allies but hasn’t endorsed. A messy divorce could sway him toward “safer” Cornyn .
Ken’s survived scandals before—securities fraud charges (dismissed in 2024), impeachment (acquitted 2023), federal probes (closed 2025) . But divorce court’s different. Discovery could force him or Olson to testify under oath ’bout the affair, potentially reviving impeachment-era corruption claims . For a guy banking on Trump’s nod, that’s a disaster.
The Legal Battle Ahead: Assets, Allegations, and Optics
Angela ain’t just walking away; she’s lawyering up for a fight. Her filing demands:
🏠 Their McKinney Home: Exclusive ownership .
💸 Disproportionate Assets: Citing Ken’s “fault” (adultery), his “benefit” from her staying married, and his higher earning power .
Ken’s financial disclosures show he’s worth millions, but lingering debts exist. His campaign’s fundraising too—he’ll need cash for both a Senate race and divorce lawyers . Worse? Angela’s “biblical grounds” frame makes him look like a hypocrite to conservatives. His statement—”pressures of political attacks”—feels spinny when court docs say he cheated . Every hearing’ll be a media circus, plastering “ADULTERY” headlines right as primary heats up.
Media and Political Reactions: Sympathy for Angela, Scorn for Ken
The narrative’s clear: Angela’s the wronged wife, Ken’s the serial scandal survivor. Cornyn “feels badly” for Angela, calling the divorce “private” while sniping Ken’s character . The NRSC’s fiery statement frames Angela as a victim of Ken’s “disgusting” actions . Even neutral outlets highlight how she stood by him through years of disgrace—only to break now over “recent discoveries” .
Conservative media’s quieter though. They championed Ken as a Trump-aligned “fighter” against Biden. But adultery’s harder to spin than “deep state” prosecutions. For liberal outlets? It’s proof Ken’s always been corrupt. The Texas Tribune notes this could finally “disrupt his bid” after scandals never stuck at ballot box .
What Comes Next: Discovery, Politics, and More Headaches
The divorce itself’ll get ugly fast. Texas requires a 60-day cooling-off period, but with assets and allegations this heavy, it’ll drag on . Key angles to watch:
🔎 Discovery Phase: Angela’s lawyers could subpoena Olson, Nate Paul, or impeachment witnesses. Any testimony might revive bribery probes or embarrass Ken before primary votes .
🗳️ Senate Primary: Filing deadline’s December 2025. If Trump endorses Cornyn (or stays silent), Ken’s sunk .
📉 Polls: Early surveys showed Ken leading Cornyn. If that flips post-divorce, donors may flee .
Ken’s proven Teflon-coated—beating indictments, impeachment, and ethics complaints . But divorce court operates different than politics. Angela’s not a partisan opponent; she’s his wife of 38 years with receipts. And her “biblical” framing? That’s the killer blow for a guy who courted evangelicals. As one Texas GOP strategist muttered: “Adultery’s the one sin base voters won’t ignore” .
Timeline of Ken Paxton's Major Scandals

Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Angela Paxton file for divorce now after 38 years?
She cited “recent discoveries” as the trigger, implying new information about Ken’s behavior—likely tied to his past affair or financial conduct. They’d been separated since June 2024, suggesting attempts to reconcile failed .
What does “biblical grounds” mean in Texas divorce law?
It’s not a legal term but a moral framing. Texas allows “fault” divorces for adultery, cruelty, or abandonment. Angela explicitly listed adultery in court docs, making it the legal basis .
Will this hurt Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign?
Severely. The adultery allegation undermines his evangelical support, and the NRSC (GOP Senate arm) already attacked his “repulsive” conduct. Trump’s endorsement is now riskier .
What is Angela Paxton asking for in the divorce?
Their McKinney home, financial support, and a “disproportionate share” of assets. She argues Ken’s adultery, higher earnings, and benefits from their marriage justify it .
Did Laura Olson testify about the affair?
No. She was subpoenaed during Ken’s 2023 impeachment trial but left without speaking. Divorce discovery could compel her testimony .
How did Ken Paxton survive past scandals?
He leveraged political allies (Trump), dismissed charges as “witch hunts,” and benefited from procedural wins. But divorce is personal, not political—Angela has insider knowledge.