Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton: Biography and FAQ
Texans want to know who they're sending to fight for them. That means the record, the values, and the background of anyone asking to represent this state in Washington. And when it comes to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, there's a long public record to look at.
Ken Paxton has spent more than two decades in Texas public life. He's a conservative fighter, a legal warrior against federal overreach, and now the 2026 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. This article covers his biography, public service, attorney general record, Senate campaign, and the questions voters ask most.
Who Is Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton?
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is a conservative Republican leader, longtime Texas public servant, and U.S. Senate candidate known for fighting for constitutional rights, border security, election integrity, and limited government. He has served as Texas' 51st attorney general since 2015. Before that, he served in both chambers of the Texas Legislature.
Paxton has built a national profile as a Trump-aligned conservative legal fighter. You can read the full story on our Meet Ken Paxton page.
Early Life and Texas Roots
Ken Paxton was born December 23, 1962, on Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. His family moved often during his childhood, living in several states before he graduated high school in Lawton, Oklahoma.
His public biography emphasizes the alleged values he carried into Texas life: faith, family, hard work, and service. Those themes have stayed central to how he presents his career.
Education and Legal Training
Paxton earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1985 and an MBA in 1986, both from Baylor University, where he was elected student body president. He then earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1991.
That legal training shaped everything that followed. It prepared him for private practice, for his work in the Texas Legislature, and for the attorney general's office, where legal skill drives the job.
Family, Faith, and Community
Ken Paxton married Angela Allen in 1986. Together they raised four children and have grandchildren. Angela Paxton has also served in Texas public life as a state senator.
Paxton has long described himself as a man of Christian faith. His family and faith have remained part of his public identity throughout his career in Texas communities.
How Did Ken Paxton Get Started in Public Service?
Ken Paxton began public service after working in law and business, then served Texans in the Texas House and Texas Senate before being elected attorney general. His path runs through both chambers of the Texas Legislature and then statewide office. That legislative experience shaped his conservative record.
Private-Sector Legal and Business Background
Before elected office, Paxton worked at a law firm and served as in-house counsel for J.C. Penney. In 2002, he opened his own law practice in McKinney, focused on estate planning, probate, and real estate.
That work outside government gave him a firsthand view of how regulation and government power affect businesses and families. It informed his skeptical approach to federal overreach.
Service in the Texas House
Paxton was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2003, representing District 70 in one of the fastest-growing parts of the state. He served there for ten years.
During that time, he backed conservative priorities like defending state sovereignty, supporting voter ID, and protecting religious liberty and the unborn. He earned a reputation as a reliable ally of grassroots Republicans.
Service in the Texas Senate
In 2013, Paxton moved to the Texas Senate, representing District 8, which covers Collin and Dallas counties. His legislative themes stayed consistent: constitutional limits, state authority, and conservative policy.
That statewide-facing role positioned him for the attorney general's office. In 2014, he won that race and took office in January 2015.
What Has Ken Paxton Done as Attorney General?
As attorney general, Ken Paxton has used the office to challenge federal overreach, defend conservative constitutional principles, support election integrity, and protect Texans through legal action. He has filed more than 100 lawsuits against the Biden administration and won major settlements from Big Tech companies. You can read the full record in our Ken Paxton history piece.
Taking on Federal Overreach
Paxton's office sued the Biden administration more than 100 times, with more than 20 of those cases focused on immigration. The fights covered immigration, overtime rules, environmental regulation, and more.
Some lawsuits blocked federal policies. Others delayed them. Supporters value the volume itself as proof that Texas pushed back hard against Washington.
Defending Constitutional Rights
Paxton has defended constitutional priorities that matter to Texas conservatives. That includes the Second Amendment, religious liberty, and limits on government authority.
In one example, he moved to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Texas' campus-carry law, calling it frivolous. The courts sided with the state.
Fighting for Election Integrity
Paxton created an Election Integrity Unit and has publicly emphasized pursuing voter fraud cases. He sued the Biden-Harris administration in 2024 over what he said was a refusal to help states verify voter citizenship.
His goal, as he framed it, was lawful elections and public confidence in how Texas runs its voting systems.
Standing Up for Border Security
Border security has been central to Paxton's work. In October 2023, he sued the Biden administration after federal agents cut Texas razor wire placed along the border.
The legal fight moved through the courts, up to the U.S. Supreme Court. Paxton vowed to keep fighting for Texas' authority to defend its own border.
Protecting Texans Through the Attorney General's Office
The attorney general's office does more than sue Washington. Paxton's office handles consumer protection, fraud prevention, child support enforcement, and defense of the state in court.
His office won a $1.4 billion settlement with Meta over biometric data and a $1.375 billion settlement with Google over location tracking. His office called the Meta result the largest ever obtained by a single state.
What Does Ken Paxton Stand For?
Ken Paxton stands for conservative Texas values, including secure borders, election integrity, constitutional rights, limited government, and holding the political establishment accountable. He runs as an America First conservative aligned with Donald Trump.
Secure Borders and Strong Sovereignty
Paxton supports stronger border enforcement and Texas' authority to protect its own communities. His legal record on the border reflects a belief that Texans' safety comes first.
Election Integrity and Voter Confidence
Paxton has made election integrity central to his message. He argues for lawful elections, secure voting systems, and accountability in how elections are run.
Limited Government and Constitutional Rights
Paxton argues for smaller government, lower taxes, and deregulation. He defends free speech, religious liberty, and gun rights while resisting federal overreach.
Conservative Accountability in Washington
Paxton's campaign carries a simple message: Texas needs a senator who will challenge both Democrats and weak Republicans. He beat a sitting Republican senator to make that point.
Why Is Ken Paxton Running for U.S. Senate?
Ken Paxton is running for U.S. Senate to bring his conservative legal and political fight to Washington on behalf of Texans who want stronger borders, constitutional government, and America First leadership. He announced his bid in April 2025 and won the Republican nomination in 2026.
A Fighter for Texas in Washington
Paxton's case is that Texas needs bold representation, not business-as-usual politics. He defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the primary runoff, winning 63.5% of the vote with President Trump's endorsement.
From Courtroom Battles to Senate Fights
Paxton's Senate run builds on his attorney general record. The legal fights he waged against federal power translate into legislative priorities in Washington.
On election night in Plano, he told supporters: "The future of Texas and the future of America is on the line. And I intend to do everything I can to expand our movement."
Priorities for Texas Conservatives
His campaign priorities line up with the issues Texas conservatives care about most:
Border security and immigration enforcement
Energy independence and fewer restrictions on oil and gas
Constitutional rights and religious liberty
Reduced federal spending and lower national debt
Election integrity and voter confidence
Accountability for the Washington establishment
You can compare him with his opponent in our breakdown of the 2026 Texas Senate race.
What Should Voters Know About Ken Paxton's Record?
Voters should know that Ken Paxton's record is defined by aggressive conservative legal action, years of Texas public service, and a willingness to challenge powerful political interests. That approach has earned him strong support and intense opposition.
A Consistent Conservative Brand
Paxton has held conservative positions for his entire career. From the Texas House to the attorney general's office, he has stayed aligned with grassroots priorities and taken strong stands.
High-Profile Legal Battles
His tenure has featured major public legal fights: cases against federal policy, constitutional questions, election procedures, and state authority. He is one of the most consequential conservative litigators in the country.
Supporters and Critics
Supporters see Paxton as a fighter who refuses to back down. Critics oppose his aggressive conservative approach. Strong opposition often comes with taking bold stands, and Paxton has taken plenty.
What Happened With Ken Paxton's Impeachment and Legal Challenges?
Ken Paxton was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 but was acquitted by the Texas Senate, and his campaign points to that outcome as proof that the effort to remove him failed. He has never been convicted of a crime.
Impeachment and Acquittal
In May 2023, the Texas House adopted 20 articles of impeachment. The Texas Senate tried him on 16 articles and acquitted him on all of them in September 2023. He returned to office.
Other Legal Matters
Paxton has faced other scrutiny that ended without conviction. His 2015 securities charges were dismissed in 2025 after he completed a pretrial agreement, and the Justice Department declined to pursue federal prosecution. The record on these matters is documented in detail on our about page.
How Supporters View the Fight
Supporters believe Paxton has been targeted precisely because he challenges powerful interests. They see the attacks as the price of fighting the federal agenda and refusing to back down.
How Can Texans Support Ken Paxton for Senate?
Texans can support Ken Paxton for Senate by joining Paxton's Patriots, volunteering, donating, sharing the campaign message, and helping mobilize conservative voters. Every effort helps keep Texas red.
Join Paxton's Patriots
Paxton's Patriots is our supporter community. Sign up for campaign updates, event access, and the tools you need to help defeat the radical left in Texas.
Volunteer and Organize Locally
Grassroots action wins races. You can knock doors, make calls, attend events, and help friends and family learn about the campaign.
Donate or Show Support
You can donate, grab campaign merch, and share our content. Point others to our site so they can learn the record and join the movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ken Paxton a Republican?
Yes. Ken Paxton is a Republican and a longtime conservative Texas political leader. He has aligned himself closely with Donald Trump and the America First movement.
Where Did Ken Paxton Go to Law School?
Ken Paxton earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1991. He also holds a bachelor's degree and an MBA from Baylor University.
Who Is Ken Paxton Married To?
Ken Paxton married Angela Paxton in 1986. She has also served in Texas public life, including as a state senator. On July 10th, 2025, she tweeted that she filed for divorce from Ken Paxton on biblical grounds.
How Long Has Ken Paxton Served as Attorney General?
Ken Paxton has served as Texas attorney general since January 2015. He won reelection in 2018 and again in 2022.
What Office Is Ken Paxton Seeking Now?
Ken Paxton is running to represent Texas in the United States Senate. He is the 2026 Republican nominee after defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the primary runoff.
Was Ken Paxton convicted of securities fraud?
No. Paxton was indicted in 2015 on felony securities charges related to allegations that he encouraged people to invest in Servergy, a technology company, without disclosing that the company was compensating him. He denied wrongdoing and never entered a guilty plea.
Has Ken Paxton ever been found to have violated securities law?
Yes. In 2014, the Texas State Securities Board reprimanded Paxton and fined him $1,000 for soliciting investment clients without being properly registered. Paxton consented to the board’s findings, conclusions and disciplinary order.
Was Ken Paxton impeached?
Yes. In May 2023, the Republican-controlled Texas House voted 121 to 23 to impeach Paxton on 20 articles involving allegations of bribery, abuse of office, obstruction, false statements and misuse of public resources. The Texas Senate later tried him on 16 articles and acquitted him on all 16. The remaining four articles were dismissed.
Has Ken Paxton been accused of voting illegally?
Yes, but he has not been charged or found guilty. A July 2026 investigation by The Texas Tribune and ProPublica reported that Paxton voted in six elections while registered at a Collin County address where he appeared to no longer live. The Collin County Democratic Party subsequently filed a complaint asking the Texas secretary of state to investigate.
Send a Fighter in Texas to the U.S. Senate to Fight for Himself
Ken Paxton's path runs from private attorney to state legislator to Texas attorney general, and now to Senate candidate. Along the way, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has stayed a consistent MAGA conservative and shown courage under pressure.
The Paxton campaign believes Texas needs a fighter in Washington who will secure the border, defend the Constitution, and hold the establishment accountable. It's unclear and unlikely he will do any of that. However, these claims are what he alleges.
