In a statement posted to social media, Sen. Paxton said she filed for the divorce “on biblical grounds,” and that while she has “earnestly pursued reconciliation” in the marriage, “recent discoveries” made moving forward impossible.
“I do not believe that it honors God or is loving to myself, my children, or Ken to remain in the marriage,” Sen. Paxton said. “I move forward with complete confidence that God is always working everything together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.”
In the Bible, “grounds” for divorce are typically adultery or being married to a non-Christian. Attorney General Ken Paxton has previously admitted to having an extramarital affair, and the infidelity was a key component of the Texas Senate’s 2023 impeachment trial against him. According to the Texas Tribune, the attorney general first admitted his affair to staff in 2018 and vowed to recommit to his marriage.
I mean this with love: You go, girl.
— Sarah Hepola (@sarahhepola) July 10, 2025
Instead, former staff members of the AG testified that the affair continued and that he said he “loved” the woman involved. During the impeachment proceedings, Sen. Paxton, who was unable to vote but was required to attend the trial alongside her colleagues, was forced to listen to claims that her husband's extramarital affair had left him susceptible to bribery.
“My heart broke for her,” Katherine “Missy” Cary, former Ken Paxton chief of staff, said of Sen. Paxton during the trial.
Lauren McGaughy of KUT News reported on Thursday that "[i]n her divorce petition, [Angela Paxton] accuses her husband of adultery and noted the couple ceased living together in June 2024."
Of course, it's possible that breaking commandment No. 7 — no adultery — isn't the only biblical grounds for Ken Paxton's troubles. For example, commandment No.1 is "you shall have no other gods before me" (see: Donald Trump) and No. 5 is "honor your mother and father" (see: being Ken Paxton). So, it's kind of an open field, biblically speaking.
The attorney general was later acquitted by the Senate in his impeachment trial. The news comes as Paxton has announced his plans to mount a U.S. senatorial campaign against Republican incumbent John Cornyn.
In his own statement to social media, Ken Paxton painted the divorce as a mutual decision.
"After facing the pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny, Angela and I have decided to start a new chapter in our lives," he wrote. "I could not be any more proud or grateful for the incredible family that God has blessed us with, and I remain committed to supporting our amazing children and grandchildren. I ask for your prayers and privacy at this time."
