One of the things that defines a statesman, someone who might even go down in the history books. is his ability to put the country before his personal concerns. Very few statesmen remain in American politics today (though I would argue that Trump, for all his eccentricities and bombast, has sacrificed more and risked more for America than any other politician in my lifetime).
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One person showing truly statesmanlike chops today is Angela Paxton. She is Ken Paxton’s soon-to-be ex-wife, having filed for divorce against him after 38 years of marriage on the grounds of his adultery.
Angela Paxton is a politician in her own right, serving as a Texas State Senator for the Republican Party. She just released a campaign video telling Texans to vote for Ken Paxton over James Talarico:
#TXPol: “I’m Texas Senator Angela Paxton. People have asked my thoughts about this election and turns out, I have some … I’m voting for the Republican ticket on November 3rd.” Texas PAC is up with a new ad featuring Angela Paxton, Ken Paxton’s estranged wife. https://t.co/U7yYZ6ZBXp
— AdImpact Politics (@AdImpact_Pol) October 3, 2026
I’m Texas Senator Angela Paxton. People have asked my thoughts about this election and turns out, I have some. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. In a general election, it’s not as much about the individual players on the team, it’s about getting the whole team across the finish line.
Either we hold every Republican seat, or we hand the future of Texas to the other team. That’s why I’m voting for the Republican ticket on November 3rd. Let’s hold the line together.
I’m sure it’s galling to Angela Paxton to think of the man who betrayed their vows taking a seat in the Senate. However, she’s absolutely right: This is a binary election.
The primary is over, and Ken Paxton is the Republican candidate. The only other choice is James Talarico, a radical leftist by every metric, whether on the economy, national security, or sexual politics. Paxton, showing her patriotism, understands the stakes, and she will not let her personal feelings override her state’s and her nation’s greater needs.
Bravo, Ms. Paxton! I wish more politicians had your clarity.
Angela Paxton’s courage leads directly to the problem Ken Paxton himself still needs to solve. As Texans know, Ken Paxton, while not the most likable guy, is a committed MAGA candidate. Texas conservatives who dislike him must be like his soon-to-be ex-wife and recognize that his November victory matters more than his personal failings. Again, the election is binary: Those who won’t vote for Paxton, are voting for Talarico.
Finally, if anyone from Ken Paxton’s campaign is reading this, I understand that you’ve been sitting silently and letting Talarico self-immolate. It’s a good policy. Why expose yourself if he’s self-destructing?
That said, at some point, Ken Paxton must get out there and make his case to the voters. I strongly recommend that he remind them that no one liked John Adams, either, but Adams was a patriot who helped birth America. Being likable and being an effective patriot are not the same thing. Heck, you can even use the image I created in your campaign:
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Header image: X screen grab.