The daughter of Texas GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton has publicly defended her father after his primary opponent, incumbent Senator John Cornyn, launched a campaign ad branding him a "crooked home wrecker." The attack centers on allegations that Paxton, the state's attorney general, had an affair with Tracy Duhon, a married mother of seven, and misused taxpayer dollars to fund secret trips with her.
Cornyn's Campaign Ad Escalates Personal Attacks
Cornyn's commercial, released in an effort to boost his primary prospects, explicitly claims that "crooked Ken Paxton cheated on his wife" and is "wrecking another home, sleeping around with a married mother of seven." The ad further accuses Paxton of using his office for personal enrichment and supporting "left-wing organizations" with Texas tax dollars. "Now think of the Paxton dirty deeds we don't know about ... yet," the ad ominously warns.
Daughter's Op-Ed Response
In response, Paxton's daughter, Mattie Hayworth, penned an op-ed for The Texas Scorecard, asserting that "the attacks bear no resemblance to the man they claim to describe." She accused Cornyn of being "unable to compete on record, on results, or on values, resorts to attacking my father's character and personal life." While not directly confirming or denying the allegations, Hayworth acknowledged her father is "not perfect; none of us are. But he is a man of deep faith, genuine love for his family, and an unrelenting commitment to doing right by the people of Texas."
Hayworth praised Paxton for his consistent presence in her life, his role in leading her to Christian faith, and his dedication as a grandfather. "When I look at this race, I see a clear choice. On one side, a man with an impeccable conservative record and a lifetime of showing up for Texas and his family. On the other, a candidate whose only path to victory runs through attacking not only my dad but our family directly," she wrote.
Background of the Allegations
The Daily Mail exclusively reported in September that Paxton, 63, was accused of using taxpayer funds to bankroll trips with Duhon. When initially questioned about the affair, Paxton—whose wife, Texas State Senator Angela Paxton, filed for divorce on "biblical grounds" last year—avoided addressing the claim, instead attacking the Daily Mail and vowing to combat the "deranged radical Left" alongside Donald Trump.
Further details emerged from a Texas political website, Current Revolt, which received a tip in May that Paxton was seen at the Drover Hotel pool having "questionable interactions" with a woman not his wife, reportedly using the alias "Kyle." Insiders revealed the romance began after Paxton and Duhon met at the Kentucky Derby in 2023, staying under the same roof at a mutual friend's home. Since May 2024, they allegedly had multiple rendezvous across the country and overseas, with trips designed to keep the affair secret as both were married at the time.
Legal and Political Repercussions
In September, Cornyn's campaign submitted a Texas Public Information Act request to Paxton's office, seeking records of his travel and activities with Duhon dating back to March 2024. Matt Mackowiak, Cornyn's senior campaign advisor, stated, "Taxpayers deserve to know if Paxton is using his office and taxpayer resources to conduct and conceal an affair." The request argues that such travel, if personal, should not involve official resources.
This scandal marks not the first time Paxton has faced controversy. In 2023, he was impeached by the state house for allegedly misusing his office and taking bribes to secure a job for his then-mistress, former state senate aide Laura Olsen. He was acquitted in the state senate, with Angela Paxton standing by him. However, the latest allegations with Duhon proved the final straw, leading Angela to file for divorce in July after 38 years of marriage.
Impact on the Senate Race
Paxton, a staunch ally of Donald Trump, is challenging Cornyn, a four-term senator viewed as more establishment Republican. Both candidates are vying for conservative voters who prioritize Christianity and family values. Prior to the divorce announcement, Paxton led by up to 16 points among conservative voters, but recent polling shows the race in a dead heat.
Trump, who has previously labeled Cornyn a "RINO," has not yet endorsed any candidate in the race, stating, "I just haven't made a decision on that race yet. It's got a ways to go. They've all supported me. They're all good, and you're supposed to pick one. So we'll see what happens."
As the primary intensifies, the focus on personal scandals and taxpayer misuse allegations underscores the high stakes in this Texas GOP battle, with both sides leveraging character attacks to sway voters.
