President Donald Trump walks with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Nov. 20, 2019. Evan Vucci/AP Photo
Upon addressing his supporters after his significant victory this week over incumbent John Cornyn in the Republican runoff election for a U.S. Senate seat representing Texas, Ken Paxton specifically credited President Donald Trump for his success in securing the win.
Referencing Trump’s last-minute endorsement that was instrumental in his triumph, the three-time elected Texas Attorney General informed the assembled crowd that “everyone in Washington advised him to forsake me.”
Throughout a political tenure spanning over two decades, Paxton has faced nearly as many controversies as electoral successes, including being the first statewide elected official in the Lone Star State since 1917 to undergo impeachment proceedings.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks during a primary runoff election night event after winning the Republican party’s nomination, May 26, 2026, in Plano, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo
In his endorsement, Trump, who was impeached twice during his initial term in the White House, characterized Paxton as “loyal” and a “true MAGA warrior.”
Paxton’s victory establishes a midterm confrontation in November with Democratic nominee James Talarico, a member of the Texas House of Representatives since 2018.
President Donald Trump walks with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Nov. 20, 2019.Evan Vucci/AP Photo
Below is a chronicle of the highs and lows of the 63-year-old Paxton’s contentious career leading up to his electoral triumph on Tuesday:
November 2002 — The offspring of an Air Force veteran and a corporate attorney who established his own legal practice, Paxton entered the political landscape, securing a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. He was subsequently reelected to the House in 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010.
Rep. Ken Paxton questions a witness during a meeting of the House Ways and Means Committee, Feb. 10, 2005, in Austin, Texas.Harry Cabluck/AP Photo
November 2012 — Paxton gained a seat in the Texas State Senate, representing the counties of Collin and Dallas.
November 2014 — Paxton was elected as the 51st Attorney General of Texas. In his initial significant undertaking as attorney general, he established a specialized unit focused on combating human trafficking within the state.
August 2015 — A Texas grand jury issued a three-count felony indictment against Paxton, charging him with two counts of first-degree securities fraud and one count of failing to register with the state securities board. These charges predated Paxton’s term as state Attorney General. The most serious accusation alleges that he encouraged individuals to invest in Servergy, a Texas technology firm, without disclosing that he was receiving a commission for their investments. Paxton surrendered to authorities and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Ken Paxton joins hands with family members during a prayer after he was sworn in as the Texas Attorney General, Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in Austin, Texas.Eric Gay/AP Photo
April 2016 — The Securities and Exchange Commission announced federal fraud charges against Paxton, originating from the Servergy inquiry. Paxton pleaded not guilty to these charges. A federal judge dismissed the federal case against Paxton in 2017.
November 2018 — Paxton secured a narrow victory for re-election as state Attorney General.
October 2020 — Seven senior staff members of the state Attorney General’s Office sent a communication to the agency’s human resources director, alleging that Paxton accepted bribes and engaged in an abuse of his official capacity. Paxton denied these accusations and issued a statement asserting that the employees had made false claims.
December 2020 — In an effort to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, Paxton filed a lawsuit against the battleground states of Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The lawsuit contended that modifications to election procedures in those states during the pandemic era contravened federal law and requested that the U.S. Supreme Court prevent the states from participating in the Electoral College vote. The Supreme Court ultimately dismissed the case.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Washington, March 2, 2016, after the court heard arguments over Texas abortion clinic regulations in its biggest abortion case in nearly a quarter-century.Susan Walsh/AP
July 2022 — Paxton initiated the first legal challenge against then-President Joe Biden’s executive order designed to safeguard abortion access nationwide following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. Paxton accused the administration of transforming emergency healthcare providers into “walk-in abortion clinics.”
November 2022 — Paxton secured his third term as Texas Attorney General.
May 2023 — The Texas House of Representatives, led by Republicans, voted 121-23 to impeach Paxton, citing accusations of misusing his authority to assist friends and donors. He was immediately suspended from his duties. Paxton, the first statewide elected official in Texas to face impeachment in over a century, denied any wrongdoing and issued a defiant statement labeling the impeachment vote a “sham” and “unjust.”
Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton, center, sits with his attorneys Dan Cogdell and Tony Buzbee, front, during the his impeachment trial in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol, Sept. 5, 2023, in Austin, Texas.Eric Gay/AP Photo
September 2023 — The Texas state Senate voted to acquit Paxton on all 16 impeachment articles. Paxton subsequently resumed his role as state Attorney General.
March 2024 — Mere weeks before his scheduled trial on securities fraud charges stemming from the state indictment filed against him in 2015, Paxton reached a pretrial arrangement with prosecutors to settle the case. Paxton consented to fulfill a series of obligations, including performing community service, undertaking legal ethics courses, and remitting nearly $300,000 in restitution. Not mandated to admit guilt, Paxton issued a statement declaring, “There will never be a conviction in this case nor am I guilty.”
April 4, 2025 — A judge ruled that Paxton contravened the Texas Whistleblower Act by terminating four employees of the Attorney General’s office who had sent a letter to the agency’s human resources director. Paxton’s office was ordered to compensate the former employees $6.6 million.
April 8, 2025 — Paxton declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, challenging Republican incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, who had occupied the seat for 22 years.
July 2025 — Paxton’s wife of over three decades, Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton, announced she was filing for divorce “on biblical grounds,” accusing her husband of infidelity.
“After enduring the pressures of numerous political assaults and public scrutiny, Angela and I have resolved to embark on a new phase of our lives,” Paxton stated in response to the filing. “I could not be prouder or more appreciative of the remarkable family that God has bestowed upon us, and I remain dedicated to supporting our wonderful children and grandchildren.”
Sourse: abcnews.go.com