Ken Paxton’s Wife Files for Divorce ‘On Biblical Grounds’
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s wife Angela is filing for divorce on “biblical grounds” over his multiple infidelities. Is this a cynical move to jump off a sinking ship or actual liberation from a FW? God moves in mysterious ways.
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Score a win for Divorce Minister. A right-wing evangelical Texas wife has decided she’s had enough of her politician husband’s wandering dick. And cited the Bible as giving her grounds for divorce. This is a refreshing contrast to the usual message of Jesus Thinks You’re a Failure If You Don’t Reconcile. But Angela’s like, I tried that shit and I’m done.
The wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Thursday she is filing for divorce “on biblical grounds,” ending their 38-year marriage as he seeks to unseat Sen. John Cornyn in next year’s Republican Senate primary.
Angela Paxton, a state senator, wrote in a social media post that her decision followed “recent discoveries” – though she did not elaborate. In her divorce filing, obtained by CNN, she alleged that the attorney general had committed adultery and said they stopped living together around June 1, 2024.
“I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation. But in light of recent discoveries, I do not believe that it honors God or is loving to myself, my children, or Ken to remain in the marriage,” she wrote in a post on X.
It’s nice to see the Chump Nation message that you can divorce because you value marriage percolating up to the highest echelons of Texas political life. I would only add, Angela, that you can throw his ass out the first time. No one is obligated to reconcile with a cheater before they metasticize into a serial cheater. God freed the slaves in Exodus.
Who is Angela Paxton?
She’s a Texas State Senator married to the notoriously corrupt AG Ken Paxton. You know you’re awful when your own party tries to impeach you for bribery and corruption. But because this is Texas, he’s still in office. Angela has stood by Ken throughout multiple scandals. In fact, as a state senator, she had to sit through his impeachment trial (although she couldn’t vote as his wife) and learn every cringe detail about his double life. How’s that for a public D-Day?
Some September 2023 reporting from The Texas Tribune.
The alleged affair is referenced in one of the articles of impeachment that is being tried. The article accuses Paxton of bribery because he “benefited from Nate Paul’s employment of a woman with whom Paxton was having an extramarital affair.”
House impeachment managers allege that Paxton, driven by his desire to continue his affair and hide it from his wife and religious voters, went to impeachable and criminal lengths to help Paul. In exchange, they allege, Paul hired Olson at his company so that she could move from San Antonio to Austin.
While Paxton’s alleged affair has increasingly taken center stage since the House impeached him in June, Cary marked the first time a witness provided firsthand knowledge of it — and in painful detail.
Ouch. It’s bad enough to have hearings on your husband’s wandering dick, but imagine the extra humiliation of your chumpy marriage policing on public view as well.
Cary said she then learned about the relationship from other people in the office and felt “surprised” Paxton had lied to her about who Olson was. The relationship was impacting staff morale, Cary added, with Angela Paxton calling the office to try to track down her husband and staffers feeling “uncomfortable answering those questions.”
Cary eventually had a meeting with Paxton where they discussed the legal and “ethical implications of a secret affair,” she said. Cary said they discussed that such conduct could “open one up to bribery and misuse of office” — allegations at the center of his impeachment.
The poor coworkers. How is this not a lawsuit for a sexualized workplace environment? No one should have to make excuses to cover their boss’s affair. And if forced, I think they should make some creative ones. “I’m sorry, Ken can’t come to the phone right now, his pecker met a swarm of fire ants.”
Oh Tracy, you crazy dreamer. While you’re being a Pollyanna, no one should have ever elected Ken Paxton to public office period.
I don’t have enough blog bandwidth to give an exhaustive account of all the ways in which Ken Paxton sucks, but let’s start with his choice of Schmoopies — Laura Olson.
Laura Olson wins the pick-me dance.
Long-term bang maiden Laura Olson, who reportedly has been sucking the dick of the patriarchy and Ken Paxton since 2018, was triumphant at the news that Angela Paxton filed for divorce. Her Instagram bio reads: “You can’t always get what you want. But I can.”
Yahoo news reported on the smug condescension that followed Angela’s decision.
Laura Olson appeared to be in a celebratory mood, as evidenced by her Instagram posts shortly after the news broke.
In her first post on Friday morning, the former aide to Texas State Sen. Donna Campbell showed a video of a DJ rocking out on the side of a Los Angeles street playing Missy Elliot’s hit “Lose Control” feat. Ciara and Fatman Scoop.
However on Saturday, Olson struck a most somber tone, posting among other memes, a message that read: “I’m real heavy on the “but it was okay when you did it.” Because people really don’t see their wrongs until it’s being done to them.”
The second post was a meme from the account, RelatableGirlyFeed, that read: “Haven’t heard from u in 57 mins, u make sure u have a good rest of your life.” The post is set to the tune of SZA’s song “Snooze.”
Charming.
I do appreciate the comments on her feed, however.
You’re banging Paxton? Ewww.
concerned citizen
How much do y’all wanna bet our tax dollars paid for these?
Observer of Olson’s bikini cleavage
I’m glad Angela is exiting the pick me dance for Ken Paxton. And it is nicely timed. It must be awfully hard to lose a wife appliance just as you’re trying to unseat an incumbent U.S. senator.
Far be it from me to argue that Angela Paxton is a good person. She’s voted to deny women reproductive rights in Texas. She continually lobbies against LGBTQ+ rights. And she’s a big cheerleader for book banning. In fact, you could argue that she stood by Ken Paxton to enhance her own political agenda and is only abandoning him now that he’s a failed brand. Personally, I think Angela Paxton is loathsome.
And yet.
Angela Paxton filing for divorce will do more to rattle tradwife brains than any feminist essayist. One of their own says divorce is GOD-ORDAINED? And a woman with a 38-year marriage can refuse to stand by her man on the campaign trail? That if you love your children you won’t set a bad example leaving a fuckwit?
I may disagree with everything else that Angela Paxton stands for, but I heartily endorse those messages. Godspeed on the divorce, Angela. See ya on the other side.
I didn’t know “biblical grounds” were a thing. Is that actually a legal term for divorce grounds in Texas?
I’m an evangelical divinity school students. My own bio on my Web site says I am “biblically divorced” from my first husband. It’s just a way of signaling to other evangelicals that you are well aware of what the Bible says about divorce and are ready to defend your decision to divorce from the Bible.
Most evangelicals passively acknowledge adultery and abandonment as grounds for divorce, but in practice, they adhere to the “permanence view” of marriage, that your marriage is never really dissolved and divorce should be avoided at all costs.
I dislike Paxton and can’t imagine she’s a very good Christian given her politics and prior tolerance of her husband’s corruption, but that is the needle she is trying to thread. God probably doesn’t hate divorce (that’s a mistranslation of Mal 2:16) but evangelicals certainly do.
I’m 90% sure it’s not a legal term. However, if you are part of her social/political group divorce is one of the ultimate sins. The only two reasons divorce could be okay are if your spouse commits adultery or if your spouse is not a believer. You’re not required to get a divorce if one of those is true, but it’s considered acceptable grounds for divorce.
She is saying here that she has a biblically acceptable reason AND that she has tried to “save” the marriage, but he has gone too far. My guess is that she finally figured out that there are multiple schmoopies.
And maybe a child or two.
She’s signaling to her group in the Bible speak and effectively so I hope
She’s playing to the fundy/evangelical bloc. The Southern Baptist Convention is the world’s largest Protestant body. They and their kissing siblings the Campbellites have beaucoup clout in Texas. In those denominations, “one-and-done” is the ideal for marriage. Traditionally, being cheated on was the only out; “Biblical reasons” is code for that.
I can’t answer your question, but I assumed “biblical grounds” was a way for her to say “he broke the commandment against adultery,” and justify her filing for divorce.
There’s a Douchebag Senator Contest in Texas: Ted Cruz, John Cornyn or Ken Paxton. The bar ain’t very high for Colin Allred.
Yeah, but it is for voter suppression.
Sadly, the Elephants will never be able to take the traveling trophy from John Edwards.
While perhaps not a legal stance, I thought using the term “biblical grounds” was a great way to go public with her claim without calling his actions infidelity.
I believe it scored her points in the court of public opinion from many demographics. And I’m sure gave her some satisfaction to be able to say that publicly.
I can never call the ex a cheater or use the term infidelity publicly as per my decree. Even after my maintenance is finished. Very specific language leaves me open to a lawsuit. I signed my voice away for money.
So cheers to one woman who managed to use her voice to communicate the truth about her husband’s actions in a way people would understand without using a label that could be used against her.
I’m hoping Divorce Minister see and comments today!
“I can never call the ex a cheater or use the term infidelity publicly as per my decree.”
Wow, he really didn’t want anyone hearing the truth huh? I think that would feel very validating to me in a way. Sure, it’s not great that he got to enact that lst bit of control, but hopefully the money you got made it easier for you to thrive in your new life. And knowing that he is THAT determined no one find out? Then he knows what a shit he is.
Sonetimes I like to dream up revenge tactics. Things that sound great in the moment, but that we should never actually do. For example, we have all seen things online like the chump posting a billboard about the cheating. Or huge signs in front of the house. I get why those chumps did it, but I don’t want to actually do something like that myself. (If it feels good, don’t do it)
That all said, someday, far, far in the future, when you pass, the idea of your tombstone reading “___ ____ was a lying, cheating FW that was so afraid of people finding out that he paid me NOT to ever say so”
Petty? Yes. Hilarious to think about? yes. But ultimately you should be remembered for all the good things YOU did, what made YOU great, not what made him awful.
Is it legal to say he’s a lying thieving scumbag?
You’ve come up with a good way to get around it.
“I can never call the ex a cheater or use the term infidelity publicly as per my decree. Even after my maintenance is finished. Very specific language leaves me open to a lawsuit. I signed my voice away for money.”
Because you’re not required to say he isn’t a cheater. Just that you’re not allowed to say so.
I am confused, Rebecca. How can a divorce decree silence you? Especially since free speech is a constitutional right…?
I am not a lawyer, but my guess is that free speech is covered in that she willingly accepted the deal to get the money. It’s gross that he put that in there, and she may not have had THAT much of a chooice. Saying no to that offer would likely have prolonged the process and my guess is she needed the money.
That sort of gag order should be illegal
Wow. Yes, my attorney wondered if they would put in specific language that I couldn’t use post-divorce, but they didn’t. I have what my attorney called a “free speech” paragraph. He’s also free to bash me any which way, but I really don’t care.
No maintenance, and what I get from his pension comes from them, so no worries that he will cut that off.
Did you sign away your rights to call him a domestic abuser? Another possible workaround.
As a Brit, I know very little about American politics, but good for her! We have plenty of scumbag, adulterous, lying politicians in the UK too. It would be wonderful if *all* women married to such cretins pulled the plug.
In my former conservative church denomination, the attitude was “God can fix anything.” Yes, he can, but there are times when you need to close the floodgate because of all the wreckage on the other side before it overwhelms you and your children.
In general, I think the church is very naive on these things. They have no idea how the deception and game-playing tears you down and ruins your ability to live a whole life. It was a mercy that my ex went to another state and that we divorced, period.
I was back at my old church a week ago to see a friend and his wife who were in town to visit family. The sermon was on divorce, and the thesis was, “Don’t get one, ever.” No nuance or understanding of the big picture. Afterwards, my friends were very sympathetic. Her mom was chumped and divorced; yes, a “good Christian family.”
Some live in reality, and some don’t.
“God can fix anything…” Yes, HE can and that “fix” often presents itself as DIVORCE. It is a “save yourself (and children, if you have them) and get out. There is no other way and HE deems it acceptable when abuse of any kind is going on.
I am not religious though, so I really don’t know. Just seems like a common sense thing, that God would be okay with it if one were being abused by the other, or both abusing each other, etc.
I went down an internet rabbit hole on Gwen Shamblin yesterday, who ran a cult-like church and forbade her parishioners from divorcing. Until she wanted one. It was because she cheated, of course, and wanted to marry her AP. She “prayed about it.”
lol, shocking…
Yes, I imagine there are a few “no divorce ever” people like that who end up divorced.
My ex justified it with his very religious family by saying that I was a disobedient wife who went off the rails. Well, the first part is true, but I truly didn’t go off the rails at all in the scheme of things. Basically same old, same old Elsie but better.
The actual politics running through this sh*tshow have put me off my popcorn but this bit is biblically ironic. Before singing her own version of Pistol Packin’ Mama (rhymes with Obama, groan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58fL8UAr3xU), Angela Paxton tells the crowd she often doesn’t know where her husband is and asking him only two things– that he tell her whether he’ll be home for dinner or give a heads up if he’s coming home in the middle of the night so he doesn’t get shot.
Bible belt states tend to be highest for gun ownership and domestic homicide, after all. I guess Ken Paxton and Olson should count themselves lucky since Leviticus offers another “biblically grounded” response to cheating other than divorce. 😮
If her standards for her marriage were that low — just tell me if you’re coming home — then one wonders what happened to make her file. Regardless, she has allllll the leverage while he’s on a Senate run.
Stoning. For those not in the know.
Some fundies argue that bullets are modern metaphorical stoning yikes.
I mean. Talk about “pick me.” A cleavage shot, really? I won’t say a word about the aesthetics of it, but the desperation! Sheesh.
What is it with the current trend of women in politics going for the “NASCAR groupie” look? Or more to the point since these types of women usually take their fashion cues from whatever gets male attention, what’s up with guys who are into ticky-tacky melting-filler Barbie?
“Bad obvious boob job” was my immediate reaction
She’s got b00bies! And a baby?!? Yikes.
Hypocrisy and governmental positions are not partisan issues.
Infidelity, sex scandals, and moral failures will always cross party lines. What often stings more than the act itself is the hypocrisy — especially when politicians run on platforms of “family values,” morality, or religion, then break those codes in private.( over and over again we’ve seen this play out)
Republicans have Trump,Gingrich, Giuliani,Sanford, Craig and Livingston as examples.
Democrats have Clinton, JFK, Edwards, Spitzer, Weiner and Hart.
The list would be non ending and exhaustive for both parties.
Integrity, questionable morals and sexual depravity seem to have an odd and fascinating correlation to power, control and entitlement.
Makes you wonder what came first the chicken or the egg. Do morally corrupt individuals seek public office at a much higher rate than the general public or do you become morally corrupt from the feelings of entitlement brought on by the positions? Damn shame we actually need government to function, but this issue will sadly never go away.
We just have to keep our fingers crossed that the checks and balances installed by our forefathers hold up, irregardless of what party currently holds the title.
Shame good people are so rare a find in politics, how thrilling that would be for one or two of them to actually come along!
Pray for that on the regular. 🙏
Good for Angela divorcing this loser, but she doesn’t sound like the catch of the century either.
I think it’s No. 2. Power corrupts.
I think it’s all tied to narcissism. They think they should run things because they are obviously better than other people. They also think they deserve multiple partners.
I agree. The FW in my case thinks of himself as very special. He was never satisfied despite ending up in a very cushy place in life without having to work hard for it. He felt like he should be somewhere better, more important. Now, he obviously cheated despite not being i a position of power in the world. But geez, I shudder to think what he would do with a little power. And as far as which came first, the chicken or the egg, there are probably cheaters that didn’t do it until they had those positions, but they probably had the personalirty for it all along, the power just made them pull the triggger.
Good move Angela! I used to be right wing, evangelical and a wife. Now I’m none of those things.
I divorced on “biblical grounds” also, once I discovered the adultery (that’s the “biblical grounds” word for infidelity). But I wish I left and divorced way before that, when I was experiencing emotional abuse, sexual abuse (coercion), psychological abuse and emotional-relational abandonment. I did not know at the time, that all that stuff is abuse (just as cheating is abuse). I wish I left when I discovered his lying about money. I wish I knew then, the connection between lying about money, and lying about sex (or lying about being faithful).
At the time, I was all worried about leaving my marriage unless there was adultery or abuse. I did not realize how he was treating me was abuse. One verse that helped me at the time of my horrifying discovery of his secret double life was 1 Cor. 7:15. At that time, this helped me understand that I was not abandoning my marriage, my eX had already abandoned me and our marriage, and I was free, was not bound. And I was called to pursue peace. And I was NOT guilty of “leaving my marriage”. He abandoned me and he left me first! I just did not know it for years– until my D-day.
Several years out now, I have a more nuanced understanding of what are the reasons for anyone deciding to divorce. If you know you are unloved. If your gut intuition is telling you that you are rejected. If you can feel their contempt and disdain for you even as they insist on you performing “duty” sex with them. If they completely ignore your bids for genuine connection. If they answer your “what is wrong?” questions with “Nothing everything is fine, what is wrong with you?” (Gaslighting), if they lie like it’s breathing, if they treat you like shit and then when you gently say that hurts your feelings they say, “I’m just JOKING!.” I could go on.
Even after D- day, I was pressured to reconcile with my eX, who I discovered all at once, was a serial cheater. The messaging to women especially, by the church, that we should never ever leave and if we discover infidelity, to reconcile, is strong. And it is bullshit. Thank God I understand that, that messaging is just an attempt to control and subjugate women. But I digress.
So after D-day, I was open for a very short time (a week) to the possibility that eX and I could work it out, if he was willing to get help (for what I thought at the time was his sex addiction and depression) but then he gaslit me completely, attempting to create a narrative that my discovery was not real, that I was crazy and was making all this up in my pretty little head, so that I would have a (fake) reason to leave the marriage. When I realized that he refused to own up to his actions at all and proceeded to further abuse me by acting like the sad abandoned husband (“My wife left me, I don’t know why! She has abandoned our marriage! Pray for Viktoria!”), I knew I had nothing to work with. I realized he was committed to his lies. Now I know that ALL that shit was abuse. All of it.
God is not wanting us to be subject (especially by our own spouses!) to slavery and humiliation and contempt and hate and abuse. People are more important than the institution of marriage. I consider myself free and released from bondage now.
And personally, I do not use flowery language like “I divorced on biblical grounds.” Nah, I usually say, “I divorced because he was lying to me and abusing me while also secretly fucking prostitutes.”
I relate Viktoria. And to the 4a’s mentioned in another post. I realized on D-day that God wanted me out of my marriage and He exposed all the cheating. It was the cheating that got my attention although I was dying from all the years of abandonment, abuse and addiction. Church was zero help during the marriage but I have found support now that Im certifiably broken. Women work so hard for family and church family and I look around now and wonder how many men in the pews have porn on their minds and tabs open on their phones…and act shitty to their wives because they are mad some other guy is getting it with the girl on the screen and they only get to watch and yank. My FW divorced me and I say the same as you: “because he was lying to me and abusing me while also secretly fucking prostitutes.”…and he wants to be free and happy to do that without a wedding ring as a reminder that he’s a pig.
This. Love your comment, thanks.
You’re courageous for leaving that behind, especially if religion was a big part of your life
“I’m just JOKING!.” My situation was very similar to yours Viktoria, with the exception of the religious aspects. A couple of years ago I found a video on YT about “signs that someone secretly hates you” (can’t find it now or I would link) and one of the signs was that they insult you and make a joke out of it. My FW checked more boxes on that list, but the “joking” one stood out because every flaw I had was a laff riot to him. I realize now that a joke is only a joke when both people are laughing.
My ex was a part-time preacher from a family of preachers and missionaries. He took off and then played the victim card about how he “had” to flee me. A grown man, and zero documentation that I was the wreck he said I was. Even his own attorney figured out who was the crazy one.
My attorney said that my case had the infamous “four A’s”: abandonment, abuse, addiction (pills), and adultery. So I actually use that when people push my buttons. He was a narcotics addict for fifteen years while preaching beautiful sermons. What a MF.
I can relate to your story 💯, Viktoria! Appreciate you sharing it here.
My ex abandoned me years before his second affair began, which in itself had been going on 2 years before I discovered it.
It’s awful to have to do duty sex (that controlling, shaming, misguided messaging for women in Christian marriages) with someone who shows his contempt for you all the time, and who checked out long ago in terms of loving connection. Someone who lies to and deceives you and puts you down.
I am glad for those who are working to change the general evangelical narrative on marriage and divorce – hats off to the Divorce Minister, Sheila Wray Gregoire, Natalie Hoffman, Leslie Vernick, and Bruce CE Fleming!
100%. And Anne from BTR.
Absolutely! Anne fron BTR, and also Dr. Andrew Bauman, author of “How Not to be an *ss”. Apologies for forgetting those two.
I just want to use this space and this topic to once again recommend *Life-Saving Divorce* by Gretchen Baskerville, a book by an evangelical Christian that argues that the Bible endorses divorce in certain situations (including adultery and persistent abuse). Baskerville very carefully addresses all biblical passages that would appear to forbid divorce. She refers to CL’s work in the book, too.
And I’m sure we’re all aware of Divorce Minister’s book as well.
Protestants are actually the authors of the modern divorce (and I’m not even talking about King Henry VIII). If you are a Christian who is trying to navigate your spouse’s adultery while staying faithful to your beliefs, please check out these resources. You’re not alone.
Gretchen’s book came out when I was in the thick of early closeout, still trying to process everything. I bought Tracy’s book just a few weeks before and Divorce Minister’s book right after. My ex was already making closeout as bad as the divorce had been, and I just wasn’t finding a lot out there to help.
She also has a Youtube channel and website for those looking for free resources.
Well, we can always tell them all what we think over here at Chump Nation…
https://www.instagram.com/kenpaxtontx?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/angelapaxtontx?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/lauraleighsatx?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Have at it!
❤️
On July 10, Joanna Rodriguez, Deputy Communications Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, posted on her own account, “What Ken Paxton has put his family through is truly repulsive and disgusting.
“No one should have to endure what Angela Paxton has, and we pray for her as she chooses to stand up for herself and her family during this difficult time.” She also copied part of Angela’s post.
I can’t read the 754 replies, but she got 996.4K views.
Before noon on July 10, Angela Paxton’s post had gotten 17.6M Views and 15.1K replies.
Let’s hope they change the narrative.
Public figures like pastors in the evangelical world will use the term “biblical grounds” to essentially signal the divorce was not their fault. In other words, their ex sinned in such a way that the Bible says they are in their rights to divorce without censure. I think this is what Angela Paxton is doing as a public, political figure in a highly religious, political environment.
It is good that she is making this public statement about how divorce is the better option for her and all. The more the word gets out that tolerating infidelity abuse is unacceptable for Christians (or anyone!), the better!
But it is strategic on her part, no? Why now? According to her, she’s been tolerating it for a long time. Maybe she hit her limit of abuse, or maybe she was waiting for a time to inflict the most damage to his career.
Good for her either way.
Divorcing on “Biblical Grounds” has to be the euphemism of the week …. and the three protagonists in this story really are – in their own individual ways – rather odious.
LFTT
Agreed – these freaks deserve each other
Tracy is spot on as usual. This is truly a boon for the chumps whose FW are Jesus cheaters especially those being pressured / gaslighted into reconciliation.
Now they can point to this and say the obvious – the Bible/God/Jesus is AGAINST adultery!
Oh the comments on Olsen’s ill-advised pride is herself in a bikini top! Lol!
Listen, Paxton and his soon-to-be-ex are like choosing between dumb and unfit in a fight.
But anything that derails Paxton is OK with me.
And agree with you: At least she’s not a “Jesus wants us to forgive!” type.
As a resident of Texas, this news really surprised me. As Chump Lady says, she was publicly humiliated by hearing about her husband’s affair in his impeachment hearing, but she stuck with him.
She must have learned something really shocking to have decided to divorce him. Maybe he pays to play. Which wouldn’t surprise me. Every time I look at a photo of Paxton, my thought is “Ewww. Who would want to fool around with THAT?”