Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton, wife of far-right state Attorney General Ken Paxton, announced on Thursday in a post to X that she was filing for divorce "on biblical grounds."
"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," she wrote. "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."
Although she did not clarify what those "recent discoveries" were, some observers had theories.
"Ken Paxton's wife said she has filed for divorce on biblical grounds," wrote Washington Post White House reporter Natalie Allison. "The Bible cites two valid reasons: Adultery, or an unbelieving spouse leaving the marriage. (Her statement seems to indicate the former.)"
Allegations of adultery against Ken Paxton have been widely known for years, and details of this were discussed at the attorney general's impeachment trial in 2023. He was ultimately acquitted in a complicated public corruption case alleging he abused the powers of his office to help a real estate developer in Austin. Angela Paxton, being his wife, was recused from voting, but still sat through the trial, including a moment when lawmakers unsuccessfully attempted to compel the testimony of the woman Ken Paxton allegedly had an affair with.
His wife stuck by him at the time and said in a statement, "I wholeheartedly affirm the Senate’s decision to acquit."
Ken Paxton, a notorious culture warrior who led an unsuccessful effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election, is currently running a primary challenge to longtime Sen. John Cornyn, which has set off months of angst for the Senate Republican caucus over fears of losing a longtime ally and the attorney general's controversies potentially giving Democrats an opening to contest the seat. GOP factions favoring Cornyn have aggressively been lobbying President Donald Trump to intervene on his behalf.