Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Friday that he has raised a notable $2.9 million for the Republican Senate race over the last three months. This comes as he faces a turbulent backdrop of personal and political challenges. Paxton, a known ally of former President Donald Trump, has had a controversial history but remains steadfast in his political ambitions, particularly in his quest against Texas Senator John Cornyn.
The fundraising news broke soon after a significant personal announcement: Paxton’s wife, Texas Senator Angela Paxton, revealed she has filed for divorce after 38 years of marriage. In a social media update, she mentioned the decision stemmed from “biblical reasons.” Angela expressed that while marriage is sacred, she felt staying together was, well, not in alignment with her values or those of her family.
Ken, reacting to the news, shared his commitment to supporting their children and expressed gratitude for the family they built together. He indicated that both he and Angela are ready to embark on new chapters in their lives.
The fallout from the divorce could have implications for the Senate race. A Texas Republican strategist noted that the impact will depend largely on whether further damaging information surfaces. Despite this personal upheaval, Paxton touted strong fundraising efforts, pointing out that his campaign momentum appears to be growing as recent polls show him in a leading position against Cornyn.
Though Cornyn’s campaign has yet to reveal its second-quarter fundraising totals, a backup PAC supporting him disclosed it raised a substantial $10.9 million recently. Observers are wary, however, and some GOP insiders suggest that any negative revelations could sway potential donors or supporters away from Paxton.
In a twist, there are murmurs about a potential new contender for the Senate seat. Congressman Wesley Hunt intends to consider entering the primary. He purportedly believes he can win the Republican primary and the general election. This evolving landscape highlights a precarious yet dynamic situation in Texas politics as the race heats up.
