Ken Paxton’s estranged wife tells GOP women: Vote Republican ‘even if we’re mad’

Texas state Rep. Angela Paxton (R) told a group of conservative women to vote Republican “even if we’re mad at them,” marking the first time she has publicly weighed in on her estranged husband’s Senate race as he trails in polls.

Angela Paxton filed for divorce last July from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) “on biblical grounds,” accusing him of adultery. She has largely stayed silent on his Senate race, which has divided Texas Republicans.

Appearing at a Texas Federation of Republican Women meeting, Angela Paxton warned the group that when voting, consider that “the party comes with the person.”

“Because we have more control over that seat and the future when we control the seat, when it’s still in the family, even if we’re mad at it,” she said. “But if we lose it to the other team, the nuances that we want to fix with maybe a certain candidate are nothing compared to what it’s going to take to get it found, right?”

She added that when Republicans diverge from the party, there are repercussions.

“They’re [Democratic candidates] not like a standalone thing, like a menu item. We have more control when it’s our party,” Paxton continued. “We have more ability than influence, and that person is attached to our party.”

During the primaries in May, Angela Paxton urged Texas voters to turn out at the polls on the state’s primary election day in a social media post , but notably did not mention her former husband’s race.

The Texas Senate race is shaping up to be among the most expensive in the country, with Democratic candidate James Talarico narrowly leading Paxton in recent polls. GOP groups are starting to pour money into the race, which is key to Republican hopes of maintaining Senate control.

Paxton, who defeated Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in the primary, brings notable baggage to the race. The Texas attorney general has been dogged by scandal, previously facing impeachment in the Texas state House on corruption charges before being acquitted in the state Senate.

His controversies have led former aides and attorneys who worked for him to support Talarico – including Dan Cogdell, who helped lead Ken Paxton’s defense during his impeachment trial.

A recent poll showed Talarico was leading Paxton in the Senate race, with 46 percent supporting the Democrat and 43 percent backing the Republican.

Paxton’s campaign and Texas state Rep. Angela Paxton’s office did not respond immediately to The Hill’s request for comment.