The wife of Texas attorney general Ken Paxton announced Thursday that she had filed for divorce on “biblical grounds,” accusing him in a court filing of committing adultery. That may have come as a surprise to those who know the Texas AG only by the image he projects of a family man guided by Christian values—but it definitely shouldn’t have!

If you’re unaware of Paxton’s backstory, a quick recap: In September 2018, Paxton reportedly gathered his staff to tell them, with his wife, Angela Paxton, by his side, that he’d had an extramarital affair. At the time, according to The Texas Tribune, he “said it was over and swore to recommit to his marriage” but in fact did not. The continued affair, Texas House impeachment managers later claimed, “set off a chain of alleged crimes and cover-ups,” and during a 2023 impeachment trial, he was accused of using his office to help a donor in exchange for assistance in covering up the relationship. While Paxton was ultimately acquitted by the State senate, his lawyers did not dispute the affair allegations.

All of which suggests that the “recent discoveries” cited by Angela Paxton on Thursday must have been really bad!

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In a post on X, the communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee wrote: “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.” A spokesperson for Paxton did not immediately respond to Vanity Fair’s request for comment.

For his part, Paxton—who is hoping to unseat Senator John Cornyn in Texas’s March 2026 primary elections—did not deny his wife of 38 years’ accusation. On X, he only spoke of a “new chapter,” saying: “After facing the pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny, Angela and I have decided to start a new chapter in our lives. I could not be any more proud or grateful for the incredible family that God has blessed us with, and I remain committed to supporting our amazing children and grandchildren. I ask for your prayers and privacy at this time.”

Unfortunately for Paxton, he is unlikely to get the privacy he’s asked for. The alleged adultery will likely feature heavily in Cornyn’s campaign. To date, polling has not looked great for the sitting senator, but that could all change if more damning information emerges re: the “biblical grounds” on which Angela Paxton is seeking to end her marriage. Cornyn’s allies have already begun boosting the news on social media. On Thursday, a National Republican Senatorial Committee staffer reposted a photo of Cornyn and his wife that the senator shared on their 2022 anniversary, and a former Texas state representative called Paxton “morally unfit to hold office.”