Ken Paxton has spent plenty of time attacking James Talarico over his Christian beliefs. But when a voter turned the spotlight on his own record during a tele-town hall, the Texas attorney general suddenly had very little to say.
The scandal-plagued Republican Senate candidate was asked a brutally direct question: “Why did he cheat on his wife?”
Paxton, 63, who won a bitter Republican primary with Donald Trump’s backing, was forced out of the home he shared with his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, after she accused him of adultery in a 2025 divorce filing. She cited “biblical grounds” for the divorce.
Now, as Paxton battles Democratic state Rep. James Talarico for a U.S. Senate seat, that history keeps following him around.
During a tele-town hall earlier this week, members of the public were allowed to ask questions. One woman began politely enough.
“Nice to meet you,” she said.
Then came the question.
“I’m just wondering, why did you cheat on your wife?”
Paxton appeared caught off guard.
“Um, I’m not gonna talk about personal issues that relate to my family,” he replied, before launching into an explanation about his children and grandchildren.
“I’m proud of my kids. I’ve got four wonderful kids. I’ve got seven grandchildren—well, six and one on the way,” Paxton said.
He then argued that there was too much at stake to discuss matters involving his family.
“All I can tell you is that I’m proud of my kids,” he said. “There’s a lot at stake, and so while I care about this country, I’m not gonna talk about things that would affect them.”
And that was it.
No explanation for the alleged affair. No attempt to address the question. Just a quick pivot to his children and the stakes of the election.
Unfortunately for Paxton, the issue isn’t disappearing.
Just days earlier, hecklers at his Houston event were shouting, “You cheated on your wife!” as Paxton attacked Talarico.
Paxton’s political baggage extends well beyond his marriage.
In 2023, the Texas Legislature impeached him following allegations of bribery and abuse of public trust. Former aides had accused Paxton of using his office to benefit himself and a prominent Texas real estate developer.
Texas senators ultimately acquitted him, but the impeachment trial exposed a mountain of damaging allegations—including details surrounding his alleged extramarital affair.
And now the divorce proceedings have brought another uncomfortable subject into public view: Paxton’s finances. Court filings have highlighted an enormous property portfolio reportedly worth about $9 million.
Trump, naturally, stuck with him.
The former president endorsed Paxton, praising him as someone who had been “extremely loyal” to Trump and the MAGA movement.
Then came another awkward chapter.
During the Fourth of July weekend, Paxton traveled around Europe with Christian influencer Tracy Duhon, 58, whom reports have identified as his mistress. While Americans celebrated 250 years of independence from Britain, Paxton was sightseeing near the London Eye.
Leaked video reveals Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton in London with his mistress on the 4th of July. pic.twitter.com/djMzUA8cU2
— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) July 7, 2026
Talarico’s campaign couldn’t resist.
“Americans celebrated 250 years of independence from Britain this weekend,” the campaign wrote. “Ken Paxton spent it with the British.”
Paxton’s campaign did not respond to questions from news organizations. Spokesperson Madison Cercy instead dismissed the reporting as a “baseless, lie-filled tabloid story” and pointed to Paxton’s record defending Texas elections.
But the Senate race is becoming increasingly uncomfortable for the Republican.
After defeating incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a landslide Republican primary in May, Paxton was expected to enter the general election as a formidable favorite.
Instead, Democrat James Talarico has emerged as a serious threat.
The RealClearPolitics polling average currently gives Talarico a narrow advantage. A recent Texas Southern University poll put Talarico ahead 47 percent to 45 percent.
For Paxton, that’s a dangerous place to be. He’s already survived impeachment, a bruising primary and years of personal and political controversy.
Now voters are asking him questions about the one subject he’d clearly rather avoid.
And judging by his answer, he still doesn’t have much to say about it.
Listen below:
TOWN HALL CALLER: Hi Paxton, nice to meet you. I'm just wondering — why did you cheat on you wife?
KEN PAXTON: Um. I'm not going to talk about personal issues that relate to my family, just like I don't think you would want to discuss your marriage on a call with thousands of… pic.twitter.com/9en7qlSdVM
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 11, 2026
