Angela Paxton, a Republican state senator from McKinney and the estranged wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has urged Texans to vote in Tuesday's primary runoff—but conspicuously left her husband off her list of endorsed candidates.
In a social media post, she encouraged Republicans to support Mayes Middleton for attorney general, Jim Wright for railroad commissioner, and Thomas Smith for the Court of Criminal Appeals. She made no mention of Ken Paxton, who is seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, nor of incumbent Senator John Cornyn, whom Paxton is challenging.
Ken Paxton, endorsed by Donald Trump, faces Cornyn in a runoff after neither secured a majority in the March primary. The winner will face Democrat James Talarico in November. Trump backed Paxton, criticising Cornyn for not supporting him during difficult times.
Angela Paxton announced her divorce from Ken Paxton on “biblical grounds” last year, following reports of his alleged extramarital affairs. In 2023, Ken Paxton was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House but acquitted in the Senate trial, where Angela recused herself.
Cornyn has warned that Paxton's candidacy could cost Republicans a Senate seat in a state Trump won by 13.7 points in 2024. The runoff election takes place on Tuesday evening.
