Ken Paxton Biography
Ken Paxton (born December 23, 1962) is an American politician, lawyer, and Republican leader serving as the 51st Attorney General of Texas. He has held the position since January 2015 and won reelection in 2018 and 2022.
Paxton was born in Minot, North Dakota, while his father served at Minot Air Force Base. Later, his family moved to Texas, where he spent much of his childhood.
He attended Baylor University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1985. Afterward, he completed an MBA at Baylor University in 1986. Subsequently, Paxton studied law at the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating in 1991.
Before entering politics, Paxton worked as a lawyer and corporate attorney, including legal roles with Strasburger & Price and J.C. Penney. These experiences shaped his background in business and legal practice.
Paxton began his political career in 2003, when voters elected him to the Texas House of Representatives. Later, he served in the Texas State Senate from 2013 to 2015.
In 2014, Paxton won election as Texas Attorney General, becoming the state’s top law enforcement official. As attorney general, he led lawsuits and legal challenges involving federal regulations, immigration policy, and election issues.
His tenure also drew national attention due to legal controversies and investigations. In 2023, the Texas House impeached Paxton on corruption allegations. However, the Texas Senate later acquitted him on all 16 articles, allowing him to remain in office.
In 2025, Paxton announced a campaign for the U.S. Senate, challenging Republican incumbent John Cornyn. His campaign reflects his continued influence within conservative politics. Today, Paxton remains a prominent figure in Texas and national Republican politics.
Ken Paxton Age 2026 | How Old is Ken Paxton?
Ken Paxton is 63 years old as of 2026. He was born on December 23, 1962, in Minot, North Dakota, United States. Therefore, he will celebrate his 64th birthday in December 2026. Paxton built a long career in law and politics before gaining national attention. Moreover, he serves as the 51st Attorney General of Texas, a position he first won in 2014. His age reflects decades of experience in legal practice, state government, and conservative political leadership.
Ken Paxton Height | How Tall is Ken Paxton?
Ken Paxton stands 5 feet 9 inches tall (175 cm). His height places him close to the average height for American men. Paxton often appears at press conferences, legal briefings, and political events across Texas. Moreover, his public appearances as Texas Attorney General since 2015 make him a familiar figure in national and state politics.
Ken Paxton Political Party
Ken Paxton belongs to the Republican Party. He built his political career while representing conservative policies and Republican leadership in Texas. Paxton first gained office as a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives in 2003. Later, voters elected him to the Texas State Senate in 2012. In 2014, he won election as the 51st Attorney General of Texas, running as a Republican candidate. Today, Paxton continues working within the Republican Party, shaping legal and political debates across Texas and national conservative politics.
Ken Paxton Education
Ken Paxton built a strong academic background before beginning his legal and political career. He attended Baylor University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1985. Soon afterward, he completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Baylor University in 1986. Later, Paxton studied law at the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree in 1991. His education prepared him for careers in law, business consulting, and public service in Texas politics.
Ken Paxton Religion | What Religion is Ken Paxton?
Ken Paxton identifies as a Christian and follows the evangelical Protestant faith. His religious beliefs have influenced many of his political values and public statements. Paxton has often spoken about faith, family values, and religious freedom in speeches and interviews. Additionally, he and his family attend church regularly in Texas, where faith communities play an important role in public life. Consequently, Paxton frequently supports policies that align with Christian conservative principles, particularly on issues involving religion and public policy.
Ken Paxton Wife | Who Is Angela Paxton?
Ken Paxton married Angela Suzanne Paxton in 1986 after they met at Baylor University. Angela Paxton later became a Republican politician and Texas State Senator representing District 8 since 2019. The couple built a long family life together and raised four children while supporting each other’s political careers. However, their marriage faced major challenges in recent years. In July 2025, Angela Paxton filed for divorce after 38 years of marriage, citing “biblical grounds” and alleging adultery.
Ken Paxton Children | Kids | Daughter
Ken Paxton has four children with his wife, Angela Paxton. Their children are Tucker Paxton, Abby Paxton, Madison Paxton, and McKenzie Paxton. The Paxton family raised their children primarily in Texas, where Paxton built his legal and political career. Although their father holds a major public office, the children generally maintain private lives away from national politics. Nevertheless, the family occasionally appears together during campaign events, political gatherings, and community activities connected to Texas public service.
Ken Paxton Family | Parents, Siblings, and Early Life
Ken Paxton was born to Charles “Chuck” Paxton and Connie Paxton. His father served in the United States Air Force, which shaped the family’s early life. Because of his father’s military service, Paxton spent part of his childhood moving between locations. Later, the family settled in Texas, where he completed much of his schooling. Paxton also grew up with two siblings, creating a close family environment. These early family experiences helped shape his values and later interest in law, leadership, and public service.
John Cornyn vs Ken Paxton Runoff 2026 | Texas GOP Senate Primary Explained
Texas Republicans face a high-stakes runoff between Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton in the 2026 U.S. Senate primary. The runoff became necessary because neither candidate won more than 50% of the vote in the March 2026 primary election.
Cornyn narrowly led the first round with about 41.9% of the vote, while Paxton received roughly 40.8%. Meanwhile, Congressman Wesley Hunt finished third, preventing either candidate from securing an outright victory.
Therefore, Texas election law triggered a Republican runoff scheduled for May 26, 2026. The winner will become the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate and face Democratic candidate James Talarico in the November general election. The race has drawn national attention because it highlights divisions within the Republican Party between establishment leaders and conservative challengers.
Ken Paxton Impeachment 2023 | Charges, Senate Trial, and Final Outcome
Ken Paxton faced impeachment by the Texas House of Representatives in May 2023. Lawmakers accused the Texas Attorney General of bribery, abuse of office, and obstruction of justice. Consequently, the case moved to a historic Texas Senate impeachment trial in September 2023. During the trial, senators reviewed testimony from whistleblowers and investigators. However, the Texas Senate acquitted Paxton on all 16 impeachment articles, allowing him to remain in office. The impeachment case became one of the most significant political controversies in Texas politics.
Ken Paxton Child Support Program
Ken Paxton oversees Texas child support enforcement as the state’s Attorney General. His office manages the Texas Child Support Division, which helps families collect and distribute payments. The agency also tracks cases, locates parents, and enforces court-ordered support. Moreover, Paxton’s office launched the ChAMP (Children Are My Priority) system in 2025 to modernize child-support services.
Consequently, the program aims to improve payment processing, customer service, and case management. Through this role, Paxton’s office supports millions of Texas children and families receiving court-ordered child support.
Ken Paxton Net Worth 2026
Ken Paxton has an estimated net worth of about $12.6 million as of 2026. His wealth comes from real estate investments, financial assets, and long-term investment portfolios. Before entering statewide office, Paxton built income through legal practice, business ventures, and consulting work. Additionally, he has placed several assets into financial trusts and retirement accounts, which contribute to his overall wealth. Consequently, Paxton ranks among the wealthier political figures in Texas state government while continuing his career as Texas Attorney General.