Ken Paxton’s estranged wife speaks to GOP women about ‘the elephant in the room’

Key Points:

• Angela Paxton, a Texas state senator and estranged wife of GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton, urged Republican women to support GOP candidates in the November election despite reservations, emphasizing the importance of holding the Senate seat over candidate concerns.
• In a speech titled “The Elephant in the Room,” she acknowledged vulnerabilities among Texas Republicans on the ballot, particularly alienation felt by women due to controversies surrounding Ken Paxton, who faces legal and ethical scandals and is divorcing Angela Paxton.
• The speech comes amid a tight Senate race where Democrat James Talarico leads in polls, with significant GOP efforts to support Paxton, including over $100 million in advertising and planned visits from Donald Trump.
• Angela Paxton did not endorse her husband in the primary runoff and has avoided directly mentioning him in public remarks, though her divorce filing citing adultery has intensified scrutiny of Ken Paxton’s personal conduct.
• She warned that failing to support Republican candidates could result in losing the Senate seat and jeopardize future elections, stressing the high stakes for Texas and national politics in upcoming contests.