Ken Paxton Bio, Age, Wife, Texas Attorney General, Senate Race, Net Worth
Ken Paxton Biography
Ken Paxton (born December 23, 1962) is a prominent American lawyer and politician. He currently serves as the 51st Attorney General of Texas, a role he has held since January 2015. Paxton grew up in a military family after his birth in Minot, North Dakota. He earned a B.A. and M.B.A from Baylor University, where he led as student body president. Later, he completed his Juris Doctor at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Before statewide office, Paxton served a decade in the Texas House of Representatives and then the Texas Senate. His state legislative career built his reputation as a conservative defender of Texas values. As Attorney General, Paxton has filed lawsuits against the federal government on issues like immigration, election integrity, environmental rules, and healthcare. He also created a special human trafficking unit early in his tenure.
However, his career has faced major controversy. In 2023 the Texas House impeached him on abuse-of-office charges, but the Texas Senate acquitted him later that year, allowing his return to office. Paxton also resolved a long-running securities fraud case in 2024 and dealt with whistleblower lawsuits against his office.
In 2025, Paxton launched a bid for the U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent Republican John Cornyn in the 2026 primary. He remains a polarizing figure with strong supporters and fierce critics. On the personal side, Paxton has four children and five grandchildren. His long marriage ended in divorce proceedings filed in 2025. Paxton continues to shape Texas politics while pushing for national conservative priorities.
Ken Paxton Age | How Old is Ken Paxton ?
Ken Paxton is 63 years old as of 2026. He was born on December 23, 1962, in Minot, North Dakota. Therefore, his age reflects decades of experience in law and politics. Over the years, he has shaped major legal battles involving immigration and federal policy. At 63, he remains active in conservative politics. Additionally, he continues pursuing national leadership roles within the Republican Party.
Ken Paxton Height | How Tall is Ken Paxton?
Ken Paxton stands about 6 feet 1 inch tall (185 cm). At 6′1″, Paxton appears taller than many of his political peers during public events. His height often complements his confident public speaking style and leadership roles as Texas Attorney General. Overall, Paxton’s height forms part of his recognizable public image.
Ken Paxton Education
Ken Paxton earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Baylor University in 1985. He also completed an MBA from Baylor University in 1986, strengthening his business expertise. Moreover, he served as student body president during his time there. Later, he earned his Juris Doctor from University of Virginia School of Law in 1991. Therefore, his education in psychology, business, and law prepared him for leadership as Texas Attorney General.
Ken Paxton Religion
Ken Paxton identifies as a devout Protestant Christian, often expressing faith in public statements and legal actions. Moreover, he attends a Baptist congregation, reflecting his religious roots. Paxton frequently emphasizes Biblical values and religious liberty in public speeches.
In addition, he has opposed what he calls anti-Christian discrimination in schools and society. Consequently, Paxton has encouraged prayer and Christian teachings in Texas classrooms under certain laws. Furthermore, his faith influences his views on law, public policy, and religious freedom cases. Overall, his Christian beliefs remain central to his public identity and leadership style.
Ken Paxton Young | Family : Parents & Siblings
Ken Paxton was born to Warren Kenneth Paxton Sr. and Sally Ann Sandidge. His father served in the U.S. Air Force, so the family moved frequently. Therefore, Paxton experienced a disciplined and structured upbringing. He later settled in Texas, where he built his political career.
Moreover, Paxton keeps details about his siblings private. However, his parents strongly influenced his conservative values and leadership style. Overall, Ken Paxton’s young life and family background shaped his path into Texas politics.
Ken Paxton Wife | Angela Paxton | Divorce & Family Life
Ken Paxton married Angela Suzanne Paxton in 1986 after they met at Baylor University. Angela later became a Texas State Senator representing District 8. Together, they raised four children and have five grandchildren. However, after nearly 40 years of marriage, Angela Paxton filed for divorce from Ken Paxton in July 2025. She cited “biblical grounds” and recent discoveries as reasons for ending the marriage. Moreover, the couple stopped living together in mid-2024 and have been navigating ongoing legal proceedings.
Angela’s decision followed years of public scrutiny surrounding Paxton, especially during his 2023 impeachment and allegations of personal misconduct. Meanwhile, Ken Paxton has asked for privacy and emphasized his commitment to their children and grandchildren.
Ken Paxton Children | Kids | Daughter
Ken Paxton and his wife, Angela, raised four children together. Their names include Tucker, Abby, Katie, and Mattie Paxton. Paxton often speaks proudly about his children at public events. Moreover, each child has pursued education and careers outside politics. The Paxtons also celebrate family milestones with five grandchildren, whom Ken Paxton frequently mentions in comments. Despite his political challenges, Paxton emphasizes his role as a father and grandfather in interviews. Overall, family remains central to his life and public image
Ken Paxton Political Career | Texas Attorney General
Ken Paxton began his political career in the Texas House of Representatives in 2003, serving for ten years before moving to the Texas Senate in 2013. In 2014, he won election as Texas Attorney General and took office in January 2015. He won election in November 2014 and secured reelection in 2018 and 2022. In this role, Paxton leads over 4,000 employees and nearly 750 attorneys statewide. He directs major litigation, protects consumer rights, and defends Texas laws in court.
Paxton has filed lawsuits against federal policies on immigration, data privacy, and election integrity. Meanwhile, he frequently champions conservative causes and legal action against perceived federal overreach. Recently, Paxton chose not to seek a fourth AG term and instead launched a 2026 Republican primary campaign for the U.S. Senate against incumbent John Cornyn. Despite controversy surrounding impeachment and legal issues, his long decade in office has shaped Texas legal policy and conservative leadership.
Ken Paxton Impeachment | Controversies
In May 2023, the Texas House of Representatives impeached Ken Paxton on 20 articles of misconduct. The charges included abuse of office, bribery, and obstruction of justice tied to his actions involving real estate investor Nate Paul.
Furthermore, state lawmakers accused him of using his power to help allies and retaliating against whistleblowers. As a result, the Texas Senate held a historic impeachment trial starting in September 2023. However, the Senate acquitted him on all 16 articles tried, allowing him to return to office.
Moreover, Paxton also faced long-running securities fraud allegations earlier in his career and reached agreements to resolve those legal battles. His impeachment and related controversies made him a polarizing figure in Texas politics. Today, Paxton continues his political career as Texas Attorney General and a 2026 U.S. Senate candidate, with critics and supporters debating his ethics and leadership legacy.
Ken Paxton Child Support
Ken Paxton has addressed child support policy as Texas Attorney General. His office manages the state’s Child Support Division, which enforces payments and distributes funds. Moreover, under his leadership the division collected record amounts for Texas children.
In 2025, Paxton announced a modernized child support system called ChAMP to improve services for families. However, some parents later reported delays and issues with payments after the update. Meanwhile, Paxton’s office also sued the IRS to stop a policy it argued would undermine child support enforcement across Texas. Additionally, critics discussed email controversies related to child support payments involving personal disputes during his divorce proceedings, though details remain unclear. Throughout these events, Ken Paxton continues to shape child support policy and enforcement while facing both praise and criticism from Texas families.
Ken Paxton Political Party
Ken Paxton is a member of the Republican Party, widely known as a staunch conservative leader in Texas. He consistently supports limited government, lower taxes, and strong border security policies. Moreover, Paxton has aligned closely with national GOP priorities, including legal challenges to federal policies on immigration and healthcare. He regularly campaigns at Republican events and endorses fellow conservative candidates. In 2026, Paxton again ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, reinforcing his GOP credentials and conservative political identity.
Ken Paxton Latest News 2026 | Senate Race | Texas Senate Primary | Texas Election Results
Cornyn Paxton Race
Ken Paxton ran in the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Texas against incumbent John Cornyn. The March 3 Republican primary saw Paxton compete with Cornyn and Wesley Hunt for the GOP nomination. Neither candidate received over 50% of the vote, so Paxton and Cornyn advanced to a May 26 runoff.
Early election results showed Cornyn leading slightly, while Paxton trailed closely behind, reflecting strong base support. Meanwhile, Hunt finished a distant third and exited the race. In the Texas primary, Democrats also saw competitive results in their Senate contest.
Moreover, the runoff will determine who faces the Democratic nominee in the general election on November 3, 2026. National and state analysts view this race as one of the most consequential in the 2026 midterms, with implications for party control of the U.S. Senate. Overall, Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign remains highly competitive as he continues his challenge against a long-time incumbent in a closely watched Republican primary.
Ken Paxton Salary
Ken Paxton earns an annual salary of $153,750 as Texas Attorney General in 2026. This figure reflects official Texas government salary data for the top statewide legal office. Moreover, this salary matches pay for other statewide elected officials like the governor. Paxton’s compensation covers a standard 40-hour workweek leading the Office of the Attorney General.
Ken Paxton Net Worth
Ken Paxton’s net worth is estimated in the multimillions, ranging from about $5.5 million. Financial disclosures and reporting indicate Paxton’s wealth grew significantly through investments and property holdings while in public office. His investment in a police technology company earned a large payout. Meanwhile, other assets held in trust and real estate add to the total value. Despite his government salary of about $153,750 per year, Paxton’s personal wealth stands far above that level. However, exact figures vary depending on how investments and blind trust holdings are valued. Overall, Ken Paxton remains a multimillionaire whose financial profile draws public and media interest.