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For Angela Paxton, June 1 will always be “I love you day,” the anniversary of the first time a baby-faced Baylor undergrad named Ken told her he loved her.
In light of recent events, the upcoming “I love you day” celebration will be overshadowed by a troubling situation. The attorney general of Texas, who happens to be a former young man, is currently facing potential removal from office by the state Senate. Interestingly, this Senate includes Angela Paxton as one of its members.
On Saturday, the Texas House voted 121-23 to impeach Ken Paxton on a range of charges, at least one of which involved his wife, and at least one of which related to an alleged extramarital affair. Ken Paxton is suspended while the Senate decides whether he should be removed from office.
As Ken Paxton’s scandals have mounted, Angela Paxton has stood by his side, and over two terms in the Senate seat he once held, she has done little to disentangle her political legacy from her husband’s. He funded her first run with a $2 million loan from his campaign; once elected, she tried to pass legislation that would have benefited him and his office. She travels with him, campaigns with him, drives his getaway car and, despite his rumored dalliances, makes their marriage a central theme of her story.
While on the campaign trail, she gains recognition for her rendition of an Al Dexter song, belting out the lyrics, “I am a mother armed with a pistol, my husband takes legal action against Obama, I am a mother armed with a pistol, indeed I am.”
One of the 31 senators, including pistol-packin’ mama, now holds her husband’s fate in her hands. It remains uncertain what her involvement or stance should be during the trial. Although the Texas Constitution dictates that legislators should abstain from cases wherein they have a personal interest, it also mandates the presence of all senators during an impeachment trial.
There was no response from Angela Paxton to a comment request, and now all attention is focused on her as people eagerly wait to observe her response in dealing with this uncomfortable situation alongside her colleagues.
While Ken Paxton played a part in launching her political career, it is Angela Paxton who currently holds the fate of their political dynasty. How she navigates this crucial moment will likely shape her political future, defining her as either the wife of a disgraced politician or an influential force in her own regard.
Angela the political wife
Born on February 14, 1963, Angela Suzanne Allen came into this world to a college student residing in New Braunfels. However, circumstances led to her adoption by a childless couple, igniting within her a deep and unwavering dedication to the anti-abortion movement.
“I’m blessed to be an adoptive child and to be here,” she said in a 2016 speech. “I have been very aware my whole life that that might not have been the case … but this young woman chose life for me.”
Angela Allen was the first in her family to attend college, enrolling in Baylor University, where she studied math. It was there she met student body president Ken Paxton. On one of their early dates, the Houston Chronicle reports, they talked about what they would do with their lives if money was no object.
She had a desire to sing, while he aspired to pursue a career in politics.
After attending the University of Virginia for law school, Ken pursued his education further. On the other hand, she obtained her master’s degree in education from the University of Houston. Eventually, the couple decided to settle down in Collin County, where they swiftly integrated themselves into the evangelical Christian community.
In the 1990s, this couple played a vital role in establishing Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, under the leadership of Pastor Chuck Swindoll. Presently, they are active members of Prestonwood Baptist Church.
Swindoll, the founder of Insight for Living Ministries, a national evangelical radio syndicate, is a leading figure in conservative Christian circles. He was the lead plaintiff in one of the challenges to the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate, represented by First Liberty, a Plano religious liberty firm that later became closely connected with Attorney General Paxton’s office.
According to her LinkedIn page, Angela Paxton had a career teaching math in public schools for approximately five years before deciding to home-school her four children. Following that, she joined Legacy Christian Academy in Frisco, where she served as a math teacher and guidance counselor. In this role, she offered “Biblical counsel for students, faculty, and parents.”
According to the Houston Chronicle, she was the one who decided it was time for her husband to run for office. He served a decade in the House before joining the Senate for District 8, covering Collin County. In 2014, he decided to run for attorney general.
Ken Paxton found himself embroiled in legal issues even before assuming the position of Texas’ leading attorney. As his first term progressed, these troubles escalated, and Angela Paxton consistently stood by his side, frequently promoting positive articles from right-wing media outlets like Breitbart.
In July 2015, she shared on Facebook the significance of the saying “consider the source.” This was just a month before her husband, Ken Paxton, faced indictment on state securities fraud charges. She expressed her belief in Ken’s unwavering integrity and honor, proudly standing by him as his wife. It is an honor for her to be associated with him, Ken Paxton.
In 2018, Paxton chose to run for reelection despite his ongoing legal challenges. Notably, Angela Paxton, a familiar name, joined him on the ballot, vying for his previous position in Senate District 8.
Angela the candidate
When Van Taylor left Senate District 8 to run for Congress, the race to fill the seat quickly became a family feud. Dallas business owner Phillip Huffines entered the race first, pitching himself as a carbon copy of his ultraconservative twin brother, who represented the district next door.
Huffines cleared the field of several potential other contenders, including state Reps. Jeff Leach and Matt Shaheen. But in September 2017, a new Republican rival entered the fray: Angela Paxton.
Similar to Huffines, she lacked political experience and relied on her name recognition rather than her accomplishments.
“Honestly, I can tell you, I never would have considered running if I didn’t have the full support of my husband,” she told a Republican group in Collin County in 2018. He was a trusted political adviser, she said in a TV interview, saying she had a “tremendous amount of respect for Ken and the way he’s conducted himself in office, the way he’s run his campaigns.”
The Senate primary in Texas became the costliest in the state’s history, as the candidates collectively spent over $10 million. Angela Paxton received donations from influential figures within the Republican party, as well as support from conservative organizations that contributed to her husband’s election. Empower Texans, a political action committee with far-right leanings, generously donated $100,000 towards her campaign.
Angela Paxton also got the key endorsement of Senate kingmaker Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
“In 2018, he expressed, ‘Angela Paxton and I have been friends for years. Allow me to assert this confidently: Every individual acquainted with her wholeheartedly concurs that she is an exceptional conservative trailblazer and an individual of unwavering integrity, firmly grounded in her devout Christian beliefs.'”
Ken Paxton provided the most significant support to her campaign by securing a $2 million loan for his own reelection campaign. However, Huffines’ campaign expressed disapproval, claiming that the generous individuals who contributed to the attorney general’s race are now obligated to bear the consequences, ultimately resulting in a setback for the conservative movement.
Huffines aimed to tactfully bring attention to Angela Paxton’s husband’s questionable actions by showcasing an advertisement featuring the merging of two champagne bottles into a single glass.
“Public service pays surprisingly well for Ken and Angela Paxton,” the ad said, alluding to the couple’s increased financial stature since they first entered politics.
However, this strategy clashed with the prevailing party stance, which regarded the accusations against Ken Paxton as baseless.
University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus explained that the situation arose because Ken Paxton was highly regarded in the region, making it challenging for Huffines to compete against him. Furthermore, Angela Paxton’s campaign ads aimed to discourage negative attacks on her husband, while also questioning Huffines’ level of conservatism.
Angela Paxton emerged victorious in the primary and entered the general election with a strong sense of assurance. Collin County, renowned for its conservative values, had previously favored Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton by a substantial margin of nearly 9 points. However, her Democratic rival harbored doubts about the outcome.
This week, Mark Phariss, a former candidate, expressed his gratitude towards Huffines, stating, “Huffines provided me with tremendous assistance. Although I lacked the resources to raise millions of dollars, my opponents had already spent a significant amount of money criticizing her, discussing their unethical practices, and highlighting their financial gains during their time in office.”
Phariss had established his own identity when he and his spouse took legal action against the state of Texas for refusing to grant them a marriage license. According to Phariss, Angela Paxton, during the beginning of her campaign, addressed a Republican organization and expressed her belief that they should not elect a person who she considered to be a sinner to the Senate.
He mentioned that for the remainder of the campaign, his approach was to claim, “Let her have all the votes from the non-sinners, I’ll appeal to the sinners, and then we’ll determine who ultimately makes it to Austin.” He made it clear that she didn’t attempt that strategy again.
Even though Phariss and Angela Paxton hold conflicting political opinions, Phariss admitted that it’s challenging not to appreciate her. Angela Paxton possesses a friendly and approachable demeanor, consistently making an effort to exchange greetings and offer a warm embrace whenever they happen to cross paths.
He expressed his belief that she genuinely opposes gay marriage and nondiscrimination laws, but he doesn’t believe she sees it as a personal attack, even though it ultimately is. In his view, she fails to connect the dots and recognize that their proposals directly impact the lives of actual individuals, causing real and significant consequences.
Ultimately, Phariss fell just short of victory, with the margin narrowing to less than 2 points. He attributes his campaign’s success and resonant message, along with the intriguing double-edged nature of his opponent’s surname.
He stated, “The Paxton name undeniably holds significant influence in certain areas of Collin County. However, in other areas, it is perceived as a major drawback.”
Angela the senator
When Angela Paxton was elected, there were questions about how she might navigate the ethical minefields of serving in a role with certain power over her husband’s office.
In the last five years, though, the Paxtons have treated those minefields like molehills. Angela Paxton has not recused herself from voting on the budget, which sets her husband’s salary, and even introduced legislation that would directly benefit him and his office.
With a touch of humor, she playfully disregards the possibility of conflicts in their marriage, joking that if they ever disagree, one of them might end up sleeping on the couch.
In a TV interview after being elected, she expressed, “Ken and I share similar perspectives, but we definitely have our own identities. Just observe us around the thermostat, and you’ll notice our differing opinions on certain matters.”
Ever since Angela Paxton became a member of the Senate, she has been closely aligned with the two political figures who played a crucial role in her election – her husband and Patrick. Throughout her tenure, she has advocated for legislation aimed at restricting abortion, preventing transgender adolescents from receiving gender-affirming treatments, simplifying the process of book banning, and enabling taxpayer funds to be utilized for education savings accounts. This program, akin to vouchers, would enable parents to employ taxpayer money to support their children’s private schooling expenses.
Meanwhile, accusations against her husband continued to mount. In 2020, senior officials in the attorney general’s office asked federal law enforcement to investigate Ken Paxton over allegations of improper influence, abuse of power, bribery and other crimes. They were later fired and filed a whistleblower lawsuit, claiming they were retaliated against for speaking out.
The focal point of the employees’ allegations revolves around the attorney general’s connection with Austin real estate investor Nate Paul. It is claimed that the attorney general misused his position to favor Paul, and as part of this arrangement, Paul played a significant role in renovating the Paxtons’ residence in Austin.
The House General Investigating Committee’s commissioned investigation revealed that an employee from the attorney general’s office was present during a discussion regarding the granite countertops in the house.
“General Paxton relays that now Senator Angela Paxton did not like the counters and wanted to change them,” the investigators recounted in a public hearing last week. “The contractor advises that that upgrade will cost $20,000. General Paxton indicates that he’d like to proceed, and the contractor … response was, ‘I’ll have to check with Nate.’”
Paul also hired a woman who was allegedly having an affair with Ken Paxton, according to the committee report. In a House hearing Saturday, state Rep. Ann Johnson said Ken Paxton wanted the woman to have a job in Austin so he would not have to drive back and forth to San Antonio to see her.
According to the investigators, Sen. Angela Paxton became aware of the affair in 2019. Although the affair initially came to a halt, it later resumed and was ongoing again by 2020.
Angela Paxton’s name has often gotten dragged into her husband’s more minor scandals as well. When the couple traveled to Utah to meet with the attorney general there during the devastating 2021 winter storm that killed hundreds of Texans, Angela Paxton had to defend her presence on the trip, saying it “benefit[ed] her efforts to promote human dignity and support law enforcement.” In September 2022, when Ken Paxton was facing a subpoena in an abortion-related lawsuit, Angela Paxton drove the getaway car to help him avoid being served.
However, in the public’s perception, these incidents did not diminish the strength of the Paxton power couple. They stood united during their reelection campaigns and even commemorated another year of their marriage while casting their votes.
“Nothing says romance like voting for each other on your anniversary!” Angela Paxton tweeted, tagging her husband. “It’s an honor to serve the State of Texas with you, but most importantly to follow Christ together.”
Despite their victorious reelections by significant margins, which initially appeared to solidify the continuity of the Paxton political dynasty, a sudden turn of events unfolded mere months later. Ken Paxton, unexpectedly, approached the Legislature for financial assistance to cover the $3.3 million settlement he owed to the whistleblowers. Simultaneously, a clandestine investigation into his alleged wrongdoings was initiated by a Texas House committee.
Angela the juror?
Ken Paxton was impeached by the House on Saturday, merely two days before the Legislature was scheduled to adjourn. The Senate will now conduct a full trial to determine if he should be permanently removed from office.
Ken Paxton expressed confidence in receiving a swift and fair resolution in the Senate, where he believes the process will be conducted with integrity. Not only does the Senate lean more conservative than the House, but it is also governed firmly by Patrick, a crucial supporter of the Paxton brothers.
However, Patrick has refrained from defending Ken Paxton and has expressed his intention to initiate a trial.
“We will all be responsible as any juror would be, if that turns out to be, and I think the members will do their duty,” Patrick told WFAA-TV. “I will be presiding over that case and the senators — all 31 senators — will have a vote. We’ll set the rules for that trial as we go forward and we’ll see how that develops.”
Patrick holds a significant amount of power in shaping the impeachment process in Texas, as the state has not impeached anyone for nearly five decades. Within this context, an unresolved inquiry revolves around Angela Paxton’s involvement in this intricate procedural spectacle.
Public Citizen, a progressive government watchdog, has called for her to recuse herself. She has not yet said how she plans to handle her role.
According to Rottinghaus, it is my belief that she will need to remove herself from the proceedings. It is not morally acceptable for her to serve as a juror in this particular case.
However, even if she chooses to recuse herself, it remains challenging to completely eradicate her impact on the proceedings. This is due to her close association with the jurors, her alignment with Patrick, and her role as a substitute for her husband. On Saturday, as the House deliberated the impeachment articles, she was observed engaging with her colleagues on the Senate floor.
According to Rottinghaus, loyalty holds significant importance in the Senate. He explains that senators often prioritize their allegiance to their fellow senators and the lieutenant governor. Additionally, many of these members are loyal to the network of conservative Republicans who played a role in their election.
According to Rottinghaus, Angela Paxton’s competition with Phillip Huffines serves as evidence that Republicans face consequences for opposing Ken Paxton. Furthermore, they are constantly reminded of his influence in the chamber through a tangible presence.
In this crucial moment, Angela Paxton holds significant influence, yet she must navigate a path that involves supporting her husband, exhibiting unwavering loyalty to Patrick, upholding ethical standards in the eyes of the voters, and ensuring her own name remains untangled from the proceedings.
Should she successfully navigate this challenging dance, she stands a chance to establish her own reputation. However, failure would not only jeopardize her husband’s career, but also undermine the entire Paxton political legacy that paved her path to office.
Disclosure: Baylor University, Facebook and the University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
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