Ken Paxton’s $2.9M Fundraising Win Overshadowed by Divorce Bombshell as Texas GOP Senate Race Heats Up
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a prominent MAGA figure and staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, has shaken up the political landscape in Texas once again—this time with both personal and political headlines.
On Friday morning, Paxton announced a record-breaking $2.9 million fundraising haul for his Republican U.S. Senate campaign in just three months. The announcement was meant to position him as a serious contender against longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, in what is already being dubbed one of the most bruising and expensive GOP primaries in recent Texas history.
But the political high was quickly overshadowed by a deeply personal revelation: Angela Paxton, Ken’s wife and a Republican state senator, filed for divorce after 38 years of marriage—publicly citing “biblical grounds.”
“I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation,” Angela Paxton wrote in a social media statement. “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.”
In response, Ken Paxton issued his own statement, acknowledging the emotional toll that political scrutiny and years of legal battles have had on their relationship. He described the divorce as the start of “a new chapter,” while expressing gratitude for their family and requesting privacy.
Divorce Fallout: How Personal Turmoil Could Shape the GOP Senate Race
The timing of the divorce could not be more politically sensitive. Paxton has survived years of political scandals, including a high-profile impeachment by the Texas House in 2023, where he was accused of corruption and misconduct involving a donor and an extramarital affair. Though he was later acquitted by the Texas Senate, the storm of controversy never fully cleared.
A veteran Republican strategist based in Texas, speaking anonymously, warned that the divorce is unlikely to be the end of the story.
“Most people I’m talking to are expecting a lot more details in this story that Republican primary voters aren’t going to be too happy about,” the strategist said.
This could put Paxton’s campaign in a vulnerable position, especially if his wife chooses to speak more openly about their marital troubles and the controversies that have followed him throughout his political career.
MAGA Momentum vs. Establishment Power: Fundraising and Polling
Despite the drama, Paxton’s fundraising announcement signals strong grassroots support, largely fueled by pro-Trump conservatives who have long viewed Cornyn as part of the Republican establishment.
“The grassroots movement to fire John Cornyn continues to grow stronger every single day,” Paxton said in his campaign release. “Our voters have been excited to send John Cornyn packing for years.”
Paxton also cited internal polling showing Cornyn trailing by over 20 points, though Cornyn’s campaign has not yet released its own fundraising numbers for the second quarter.
In contrast, Texans for a Conservative Majority, a powerful pro-Cornyn super PAC, announced it raised a staggering $10.9 million in the last three months—giving Cornyn a major financial edge.
Will Wesley Hunt Shake Up the Race?
With the Paxton marriage collapse now in the spotlight, speculation is growing over whether the scandal could force Paxton out of the race—and whether that would open the door for another Trump-aligned contender.
Rep. Wesley Hunt, a rising MAGA star representing the Houston area, is rumored to be weighing a Senate run. According to insiders, Hunt has already made his case to Trump’s inner circle, claiming he is the only Republican who can win both the primary and the general election.
“The possibility that Ken will exit the race changes the dynamics dramatically,” said a GOP strategist. “It absolutely does give Hunt something to think about.”
For now, Trump remains neutral, but other top GOP figures, including Senate Minority Whip John Thune and the NRSC, are backing Cornyn.
Conclusion: A Senate Race to Watch
Ken Paxton’s Senate run is no longer just about defeating John Cornyn—it’s now a test of how much personal scandal and legal baggage Republican primary voters are willing to tolerate. With the GOP Senate race in Texas rapidly turning into a high-stakes drama, all eyes are on whether Paxton can survive the fallout—or if a new challenger like Wesley Hunt will step in to seize the moment.
