The drama in Texas politics is hitting a new peak. Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton just dropped a new ad addressing the "elephant in the room" regarding her vote in the upcoming Nov. 3 Senate election. While she confirmed she is voting for the entire Republican ticket, she lowkey avoided mentioning her estranged husband, U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton, by name.
The Real Tea
Angela Paxton filed for divorce from Ken Paxton in July 2025 after 38 years of marriage, citing "biblical grounds" and alleging adultery. Despite their ongoing split, she’s signaling that party loyalty comes first. In the new ad, funded by a PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, she argues that losing a seat to the "other team" is the ultimate L for the state. "It’s not as much about the individual players on the team; it’s about getting the whole team across the finish line," she says.
This isn't the first time she's brought this up. Back in September, she told the Texas Federation of Republican Women that it’s about the "seat," not the person, even if voters are feeling salty about a specific candidate.
What this means for you
This race is a nail-biter. A recent Fox News poll shows Democrat James Talarico at 51% and Ken Paxton at 49%, putting the contest right at the margin of error. With national GOP heavyweights like President Donald Trump, Elon Musk’s America PAC, and John Thune’s camp all backing Ken Paxton, the party is pulling out all the stops to prevent the state from flipping.
Why it matters
Texas is a massive GOP stronghold, and the Senate seat is a key piece of the puzzle for maintaining power in Washington. With the polls this tight, every single vote—and every public endorsement—could decide who ends up holding the bag on Nov. 3.
