Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's Divorce Records at Center of Media Battle
A group of eight state and national media organizations, including ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, has filed a plea to intervene in the divorce case of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, arguing that records from the case should be made public. The move comes as Paxton prepares for a bid for a U.S. Senate seat.
The media organizations, which also include The Texas Newsroom, filed their request with the Collin County district court handling the Paxtons' divorce case on Tuesday. They argue that the records are of significant public interest and should be unsealed in light of Paxton's high-profile position as attorney general.
"We believe that the public has a right to know about the personal life of someone who is sworn to uphold the law," said Lauren McGaughy, a reporter for The Texas Newsroom. "As attorney general, Ken Paxton has access to sensitive information and makes decisions that affect millions of Texans. We think it's only fair that his own personal life be subject to scrutiny."
The media organizations' plea to intervene was filed in response to a July decision by the court to seal certain records from the divorce case. The decision was made at the request of Paxton's lawyers, who argued that the records contained sensitive information about the couple's children.
However, the media organizations argue that the public has a right to know about the circumstances surrounding the Paxtons' divorce, particularly given Paxton's high-profile position and his bid for a U.S. Senate seat. "As a candidate for federal office, Ken Paxton is subject to a higher level of scrutiny than ever before," said McGaughy. "We think it's only fair that the public has access to information about his personal life."
The background of the case dates back to 2022 when Ken and Angela Paxton filed for divorce in Collin County. The couple, who have been married since 1984, have two children together. The divorce proceedings have been marked by controversy, with both sides accusing each other of wrongdoing.
In addition to ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, the media organizations that have joined the plea to intervene include The Dallas Morning News, The Houston Chronicle, The San Antonio Express-News, and the Austin American-Statesman.
The court is expected to hear arguments on the matter in the coming weeks. A spokesperson for the Collin County district attorney's office declined to comment on the case, citing ongoing litigation.
As the battle over Paxton's divorce records continues, some observers are weighing in on the implications of the case. "This is a classic example of how politicians use their power to try to keep secrets from the public," said one observer, who wished to remain anonymous. "It's a clear abuse of power and an attempt to silence the media."
The outcome of the case remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the battle over Paxton's divorce records has sparked a heated debate about transparency and accountability in government.
Background:
Ken Paxton was elected as Texas Attorney General in 2014.
He filed for divorce from his wife Angela in 2022.
The couple has two children together.
Paxton is currently preparing to run for a U.S. Senate seat.
Additional perspectives:
A spokesperson for the Paxton campaign declined to comment on the matter, citing ongoing litigation.
Some observers have raised concerns about the potential impact of unsealing the records on the Paxtons' children.
Others argue that the public has a right to know about the circumstances surrounding the divorce.
*Reporting by Propublica.*
