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Angela Paxton backs Republican ticket in ad without naming estranged husband

The Texas state senator urged voters to support the full slate amid a tight Senate contest

The short version

  • Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton appeared in a new campaign advertisement urging Texans to back the entire Republican ticket on Nov. 3 without mentioning her estranged husband, U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton.[The Washington Sun · NBC News]
  • The spot, funded by Texas PAC and tied to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, frames the midterm election around holding every Republican seat in Texas.[The Washington Sun · NBC News]
  • Angela Paxton previously filed for divorce on biblical grounds, and her office did not answer inquiries on whether she will personally cast a ballot for him.[The Washington Sun · NBC News]
  • Ken Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico in a Senate contest rated as a toss-up, with a late-September poll placing Talarico slightly ahead within the margin of error.[NBC News]

Key facts

  • Angela Paxton called on voters to back the full Republican slate in an ad without directly naming Ken Paxton.[The Washington Sun · NBC News]
  • The commercial was backed by Texas PAC, an entity connected to Senate Majority Leader John Thune.[The Washington Sun · NBC News]
  • Angela Paxton initiated divorce proceedings last year, citing biblical grounds following the launch of Ken Paxton's Senate run.[The Washington Sun · NBC News]
  • Ken Paxton was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 over bribery and abuse of office allegations before winning acquittal in the state Senate.[NBC News]
  • A late-September survey showed Democratic candidate James Talarico leading Paxton 46% to 43% with 8% undecided, within the survey's 4-point margin of error.[NBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • Angela Paxton's office did not immediately respond to questions regarding whether she will personally vote for Ken Paxton.[NBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.