He's Been Impeached and Indicted. He Has a Chance in Texas ...
The fate of Ken Paxton, the conservative Texas firebrand, could decide whether Republicans keep control of the Senate.
www.nytimes.comKen Paxton’s latest controversy is less about a new scandal and more about how his long record of scandals is reshaping his current Senate race in Texas. The newest coverage says his past legal and ethical issues are again front and center after he won the GOP runoff and will now face Democrat James Talarico in the general election.[5]
What’s in the controversy file
Recent reporting highlights several recurring issues: a 2015 felony securities fraud case that ended in a deferred arrangement, whistleblower allegations from former aides who accused him of helping donor Nate Paul, and the 2023 Texas House impeachment over bribery and corruption allegations, which the state Senate later rejected. His personal life has also been part of the political fallout, including his wife’s divorce filing on “biblical grounds” and revived allegations of infidelity.[1][3]
Why it matters now
The immediate news angle is that Paxton’s controversies are now a major liability in the 2026 general election, with Democrats planning to make corruption central to their attack line. Even with Trump’s endorsement helping him defeat John Cornyn, the coverage suggests Paxton’s baggage could make the Texas Senate race more competitive than Republicans would prefer.[5]
Recent headlines
- CNN says Paxton’s controversies are taking center stage as he moves into the Senate matchup with James Talarico.
- NBC News reports Paxton defeated Cornyn in the GOP runoff and will advance to November.[5]
- The New York Times and The Atlantic both describe his history as a mix of indictment, impeachment, and persistent scandal.[2][3]
Would you like a concise timeline of Paxton’s major controversies from 2015 to now?