𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗜𝗔, 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗫𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗦~𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗟𝗔 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗡 "𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦"

 

Devout Christians Ken and Angela Paxton

Texas State Senator Angela Paxton has filed for divorce from her husband of nearly four decades, Attorney General Ken Paxton, citing "biblical grounds," specifically sexual immorality, as the basis for her decision. The divorce petition accuses Ken Paxton of adultery and confirms the couple has lived separately since June 2024.

Angela Paxton’s filing marks a sharp shift from her long-standing public loyalty to her husband, who has faced multiple political and legal controversies, including a 2023 impeachment trial in the Texas Senate. Central to that trial were allegations that he had an extramarital affair with a former Senate aide, a claim supported by investigators but never confirmed by testimony.

While divorce is generally discouraged in many Christian traditions, the New Testament offers a specific exception in cases of porneia, a Greek term that broadly refers to sexual misconduct. Often translated as “sexual immorality,” it encompasses adultery, prostitution, and other behaviors viewed as morally impure. For many conservative Christians, porneia is the only scriptural justification for divorce, which gives Angela Paxton’s claim significant weight in her political and religious circles.

Though Angela previously stood by her husband during his impeachment and frequently quoted scripture in his defense, she now says she can no longer remain in the marriage "in good conscience." Her decision appears not only personal but also deeply informed by her faith and may carry political consequences.

Ken Paxton responded with a statement blaming the split on “political pressure and public scrutiny,” framing the divorce as a mutual choice. Notably, he avoided addressing the infidelity claim or his wife's religious justification.

The timing is politically sensitive. Paxton is preparing to challenge U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary. Despite past scandals, including a long-delayed securities fraud case recently dropped, he’s maintained strong support from the Texas GOP base and former President Donald Trump.

Angela Paxton, a Texas senator since 2019, represents the same district Ken once held. Their image as a united Christian conservative couple has helped fuel their political rise. That image now appears fractured, with her public invocation of porneia highlighting a serious moral breach in a state where evangelical values heavily influence elections.

The divorce adds complexity to Ken Paxton’s already troubled campaign. In a political climate where personal faith is often tied to public trust, the charge of biblical wrongdoing could resonate deeply, both in the eyes of voters and among Texas power brokers.

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