Angela Paxton Urges Support for GOP Amid Divorce and Tight Senate Race

Angela Paxton, estranged wife of Texas GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton, has released a new advertisement encouraging voters to support the Republican ticket despite her divorce from her husband. She did not mention Ken Paxton directly, but emphasized the importance of maintaining Republican-held seats over individual candidate merits. Ken Paxton, trailing Democratic nominee James Talarico in several recent polls, faces a challenging campaign. A New York Times/Siena survey shows Talarico leading by six percentage points. Paxton’s political controversies continue to draw attention, influencing the race dynamic.

Angela Paxton’s message marks her most public appeal yet for Republican unity. The advertisement, released shortly before Election Day, underscores a strategic focus on party control. She acknowledges “the elephant in the room,” while steering clear of directly naming Ken Paxton. She asserted, “In a general election, it’s not as much about the individual players on the team. It’s about getting the whole team across the finish line.” Her appeal is for voters to prioritize holding Republican seats, stating, “Either we hold every Republican seat or we hand the future of Texas to the other team.” Her vote is pledged to the Republican ticket.

Who Is Angela Paxton?

Angela Paxton is a Republican state senator representing an area in North Texas near McKinney. Before her tenure, she was a teacher, counselor, and educator. Elected to the Texas Senate in 2018, her focus areas include education, faith, and conservative policies. Angela met Ken Paxton at Baylor University and married him in 1986. Their marital issues became public in July 2025 when Angela announced her divorce filing on ‘biblical grounds.’ Her statement on X cited recent discoveries of adultery allegations, making reconciliation untenable.

Angela Paxton’s statement, now viewed 17.9 million times, reads: “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. 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.” Divorce proceedings continue, and Angela Paxton’s public commentary on her divorce and Ken’s campaign has been rare, adding significance to her recent remarks.

Race Tightens as Polls Show Talarico Ahead

Angela Paxton’s appeal comes at a critical juncture for Ken Paxton’s campaign, as polls show him trailing opponent James Talarico. The New York Times/Siena College survey from Saturday places Talarico six points ahead, with the RealClearPolling average reflecting similar results. This situation is notable in a state where Democrats have not secured a statewide election victory in over thirty years. National GOP groups, initially hesitant to heavily invest in the race, have boosted spending due to mounting race concerns.

Talarico has not issued a statement regarding Angela Paxton’s ad. Her recent outreach builds on speeches made to Republican women’s groups. In September, Angela Paxton addressed the Texas Federation of Republican Women, where she acknowledged conservatives’ moral dilemmas about the candidates. She emphasized considering the impact of losing control of offices to Democrats, saying, “It’s not the people, it’s the seat.” Her husband’s name was noticeably absent during her speech.

Who Is Mattie Hayworth?

Mattie Hayworth, Angela and Ken Paxton’s daughter, has contributed to the campaign discourse through an advertisement defending her father. Hayworth criticizes Democratic policies, pointing to rising family costs. “When they come after you, my dad goes after them,” Hayworth asserts in the video, which features her family. In another campaign video, Hayworth discusses her father’s record and electoral stakes. Alongside Mattie, Ken and Angela Paxton have other children: Tucker, Abby, and Katie, according to Ken’s Attorney General biography.

Scandals Continue To Shape the Contest

Ken Paxton’s campaign is challenged by ongoing political and legal controversies. Impeached by the Texas House in 2023 for bribery and abuse allegations and acquitted by the Senate, he’s faced numerous investigations. Paxton denies wrongdoing, labeling accusations as politically motivated. Despite these issues, he won the Republican primary against longtime Senator John Cornyn with significant support, solidifying his influence in Texas conservative politics.

With a competitive general election now predicted, both Angela Paxton and Mattie Hayworth are publicly engaging voters to maintain GOP support. Angela Paxton’s public declarations aim to convince skeptical voters to remain aligned with the party.

Newsweek’s reporters and editors utilized Martyn, their AI assistant, in this story production.