Media Outlets Challenge Texas AG Ken Paxton to Unseal Sealed Divorce Records

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's Divorce Records at Center of Media Battle A group of eight state and national media organizations has filed a motion to intervene in the divorce case of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, seeking to unseal records that have been sealed since July. The move comes as Paxton is running for a U.S. Senate seat, with the media outlets arguing that the documents are of public interest. The organizations, including ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, filed their plea in Collin County district court on Tuesday, citing the importance of transparency in government and the public's right to know about the personal lives of elected officials. According to the filing, the sealed records include "all pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, decrees, and other documents" related to Paxton's divorce. "We believe that the public has a right to know what is happening in this case," said Lauren McGaughy, a reporter with The Texas Tribune. "As Attorney General, Ken Paxton is responsible for upholding the law and ensuring transparency in government. It seems hypocritical that he would seek to keep his own divorce records secret." Paxton's office has not commented on the motion to intervene, but a spokesperson for the Attorney General's office said that the decision to seal the records was made to protect Paxton's family. "The Attorney General and his wife are going through a difficult time, and we want to respect their privacy," said the spokesperson. "We believe that sealing the records is in the best interest of all parties involved." The media organizations argue that the public has a right to know about the divorce proceedings, particularly given Paxton's role as Attorney General. They point out that the sealed records could potentially reveal information about Paxton's personal life and behavior, which could impact his ability to serve as a public official. "This is not just about Ken Paxton's personal life; it's about the public's right to know what their elected officials are doing," said McGaughy. "We believe that transparency is essential in government, and we will continue to fight for access to these records." The case has been ongoing since 2020, with both sides filing motions and counter-motions throughout the process. The court is expected to hear arguments on the motion to intervene next month. In a statement, ProPublica's executive director, Stephen Engelberg, said that the organization is committed to transparency and accountability in government. "As a news organization, we believe that the public has a right to know what is happening in this case," said Engelberg. "We will continue to fight for access to these records and to hold elected officials accountable for their actions." The Texas Newsroom, The Texas Tribune, ProPublica, and six other media organizations are party to the motion to intervene. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for October 2025. Background: Ken Paxton has been serving as Attorney General of Texas since 2015. He announced his candidacy for a U.S. Senate seat in May 2025. The divorce case, which was filed in 2020, has been ongoing for several years, with both sides filing motions and counter-motions throughout the process. Additional Perspectives: Some argue that the sealed records are necessary to protect Paxton's family from unnecessary scrutiny. "As a public official, Ken Paxton is already under a lot of pressure," said a spokesperson for the Attorney General's office. "We believe that sealing the records is in the best interest of all parties involved." Others argue that transparency is essential in government and that the public has a right to know about the divorce proceedings. "The public has a right to know what their elected officials are doing, especially when it comes to matters like this," said McGaughy. "We will continue to fight for access to these records and to hold elected officials accountable for their actions." Current Status: The court is expected to hear arguments on the motion to intervene next month. The media organizations are seeking to unseal the records, which they believe are of public interest. Next Developments: A hearing on the matter is scheduled for October 2025. The outcome of the case will determine whether the sealed records remain confidential or become publicly available. *Reporting by Propublica.*