Estranged wife backs Ken Paxton’s GOP ticket

On Oct. 3, 2026, Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton released a television ad stating, "I'm voting for the Republican ticket on November 3rd," without naming her estranged husband, Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee against Democrat James Talarico. The spot ran on ESPN during the Houston Cougars versus UCF game. "Let's talk about the elephant in the room: In a general election, it's not as much about the individual players on the team. It's about getting the whole team across the finish line," she says. Texas PAC, affiliated with the main super PAC for Senate GOP leadership and not authorized by any candidate, funded the ad. The Texas Tribune reported the group has spent more than $126 million boosting Ken Paxton's bid. Angela Paxton filed for divorce in 2025 on biblical grounds, citing adultery. She made similar remarks without naming him on Sept. 18 to Republican women in Round Rock, saying the seat stays "in the family, even if we're mad at them." A New York Times/Siena poll the day of the ad showed Talarico leading by 6 points. Veronica Escobar wrote that Angela "wouldn't tolerate Ken Paxton's immoral and corrupt conduct. But she expects Texans to," and urged a vote for Talarico. A separate ad that day featured daughter Mattie Hayworth saying, "When they come after you, my dad goes after them." Election Day is Nov. 3. Contested: none found.