Texas State Senator Angela Paxton Attends Husband’s Impeachment Trial
(Published on September 5, 2023)
Texas state Senator Angela Paxton has been present for both days of the ongoing impeachment trial of her husband, state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Ken Paxton faces 16 articles of impeachment, including bribery, misuse of public office, and unfitness of office. The trial will determine whether he will be removed as attorney general and potentially barred from running for office again.
Although Ken Paxton is not facing impeachment charges directly related to an alleged affair, his former top aide, Jeff Mateer, testified on Wednesday that he believed the affair was “relevant” to the accusations. According to Mateer, Ken Paxton admitted to the affair during a meeting with campaign staff and the attorney general’s office. Mateer stated that Angela Paxton helped organize and attended the meeting. Ken Paxton apologized and described the meeting as “emotional and sympathetic.”
Mateer further testified that he had resigned once he discovered that the woman with whom Ken Paxton allegedly had the affair was employed by a campaign donor, Austin real estate developer Nate Paul. It is alleged that Ken Paxton abused his office to benefit Paul, who then hired the woman involved in the affair.
During the trial, Angela Paxton shared a kiss with her husband before proceeding with the proceedings. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who is presiding over the trial, has implemented special rules for Angela Paxton. As a state senator, she would typically serve as a juror; however, due to her marital relationship with Ken Paxton, she is excluded from jury participation and cannot engage in private deliberations.
A two-thirds majority of the 31 senators is required to remove Ken Paxton from office. With Republicans currently holding a 19-12 majority in the chamber, Angela Paxton’s presence ensures that there are still 31 senators on the floor, effectively opposing the removal of Ken Paxton.
Angela Paxton has been silent on the allegations due to a gag order imposed by Lt. Gov. Patrick. However, she introduced her husband at a recent picnic, describing him as “the love of my life, my best friend, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.”
Angela Paxton, a former math teacher and school counselor, was elected to the state senate in 2018. She and Ken Paxton met while attending Baylor University and have been married for several years. The couple has four children and three grandchildren.
The Paxtons were among the founders of the Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco and now belong to the Plano megachurch Prestonwood Baptist Church. Angela Paxton is known for her staunch conservative views and campaigned with the slogan “I’m a pistol-packing mama whose husband sues Obama.”
Although Angela Paxton’s district voted for former President Donald Trump by a significant margin in 2016, she won her senate seat in 2018 by a narrow margin against Democrat Mark Phariss. Despite her victory, the Republican Party lost its supermajority in the state Senate and 12 House seats during that election cycle.