Ken Paxton: Texas Attorney General in the Spotlight

Ken Paxton is the Attorney General of Texas. He has held this job since 2015. Over the years, he has become a well-known but also controversial political figure. Some people admire him for standing up for conservative values. Others criticize him for facing legal problems and ethical concerns. In this article, we will explore who Ken Paxton is, what he has done in his career, and why he is often in the news.

Early Life and Education

Ken Paxton was born on December 23, 1962, in North Dakota. His full name is Warren Kenneth Paxton Jr. He grew up in several states before moving to Texas.

He went to Baylor University, where he earned a degree in psychology and later got an MBA (Master of Business Administration). After that, he went to the University of Virginia School of Law, where he earned his law degree.

Starting in Politics

Before becoming Attorney General, Paxton served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013. He then served in the Texas Senate from 2013 to 2015. During this time, he built a reputation as a strong conservative. He supported issues like gun rights, limiting government, and religious freedom.

In 2014, he ran for Attorney General and won. He took office in January 2015.

What Does an Attorney General Do?

The Attorney General is the top lawyer for the state. Paxton’s job includes:

Protecting Texas laws

Defending the state in court

Investigating fraud and scams

Helping with child support cases

Ken Paxton has used his role to fight federal government policies. He often supports conservative causes in court.

Legal Problems and Indictments

Shortly after taking office in 2015, Paxton was indicted for securities fraud. This means he was accused of breaking the law in how he handled investments before becoming Attorney General. He was charged with not telling investors he was making money from their deals.

The case dragged on for nearly 10 years. In 2024, Paxton agreed to a deal. He paid $300,000, did community service, and took an ethics course. The charges were dropped in June 2025.

Even though the charges are gone, the case hurt his image and raised questions about his honesty.

Impeachment in 2023

In 2023, Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives. He was accused of misusing his office to help a political donor and of covering up an affair. He was suspended during the trial.

In September 2023, the Texas Senate held a vote. They acquitted him, meaning he was found not guilty. He returned to his job.

Still, many people believe his behavior was wrong, even if he was not removed from office.

Whistleblower Lawsuit

Four top aides who worked for Paxton accused him of abusing his power. They filed a whistleblower lawsuit. These former employees said Paxton fired them after they reported his actions.

In 2024, Paxton tried to stop the lawsuit. But in April 2025, he dropped his appeal. The state of Texas had to pay $6.6 million to settle the case. This upset many taxpayers.

Political Actions

As Attorney General, Paxton has filed many lawsuits against the federal government. These include:

Fighting against immigration rules

Suing over environmental protections

Challenging health care laws

Defending gun rights

In 2023, he also supported a Texas law that required age checks for online adult content. The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Texas in 2024, which was a big win for Paxton.

He also worked on the opioid crisis. He helped reach a $7.4 billion national settlement with Purdue Pharma, a company blamed for the crisis.

Running for U.S. Senate

In April 2025, Ken Paxton announced he is running for the U.S. Senate. He wants to replace Senator John Cornyn, a fellow Republican, in the 2026 primary election.

Paxton calls himself a “conservative warrior.” He supports former President Donald Trump and wants to bring his style of politics to Washington.

This race is expected to be tough. Cornyn has many supporters, but Paxton is popular with the more conservative voters in Texas.

Personal Life and Divorce

Ken Paxton was married to Angela Paxton, a Texas State Senator. They were married for 38 years and have four children. In July 2025, Angela filed for divorce, citing “biblical grounds.” She said she discovered new information about her husband’s behavior, including an affair he had during his impeachment.

This news made headlines and added more drama to his already controversial career.

Final Thoughts

Ken Paxton is one of the most talked-about politicians in Texas. He is known for:

Fighting for conservative values

Taking on the federal government in court

Facing many legal and personal issues

Some Texans see him as a hero. Others see him as someone who has broken the public’s trust. Whether you agree with him or not, Ken Paxton continues to play a big role in Texas and national politics.

As he now runs for the U.S. Senate, the next chapter of his career is just beginning. Voters will decide if his actions make him a strong leader or a risky choice.