Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s extensive travel since taking office in 2015 has raised questions about the use of state resources and personal benefits derived from his position, particularly amid his current campaign for a U.S. Senate seat.
An analysis of Texas Department of Public Safety records reveals that Paxton has taken approximately 350 trips outside Texas with a state-funded security detail, including 25 international visits to countries such as South Africa, India, and Aruba. The cumulative cost of these security arrangements has surpassed $3.1 million, with annual expenses peaking at more than $483,000 in 2024. The records do not specify whether the trips were related to official duties, and Texas law places no restrictions on the use of state-provided protection for travel deemed official or personal.
Paxton’s frequent travel has drawn criticism from his Democratic opponent, state representative James Talarico, who accuses the attorney general of exploiting his office’s privileges for personal enrichment and luxury. Talarico has highlighted Paxton’s real estate holdings, which include at least 15 properties valued at around $9 million, as well as past incidents involving expensive items allegedly taken without payment. Polls indicate a competitive race in Texas, where Democrats have faced significant electoral challenges for more than three decades.
Paxton’s office did not respond to inquiries regarding his travel, security costs, or personal finances. Throughout his tenure, Paxton has vigorously defended his record, emphasizing his legal battles against the Biden and Obama administrations and his participation in conferences with other state attorneys general. Supporters argue that his travel is necessary for his work; Republican state Senator Bob Hall stated that Paxton’s efforts have produced results, asserting that criticism over travel is a distraction.
Former members of the Texas security detail have described how officials often combine business meetings with leisure activities during such trips, a practice common among politicians. However, some observers consider Paxton’s travel volume and associated costs excessive. Chris Toth, a former executive of the National Association of Attorneys General, called the travel “beyond the pale,” citing difficulties in managing the attorney general’s responsibilities while frequently out of the office.
Among Paxton’s costliest trips was a 2017 visit to Israel, organized by a national attorneys general group, with security expenses approaching $75,000. According to former colleagues, Paxton insisted on maintaining his own security detail despite government protections provided to the delegation. Other notable trips include a May 2024 visit to the Kentucky Derby, accompanied by a security team, where he was seen with Tracy Duhon, a Christian influencer he is reportedly dating.
Additionally, reports indicate that Paxton has undertaken travel without Texas law enforcement protection. In 2019, he visited China with other attorneys general despite security concerns, and in 2023 attended the World Cup in Qatar. Media accounts from 2024 also reference a Dubai trip where Paxton was photographed celebrating New Year's Eve with individuals wanted on federal fraud charges, raising further scrutiny.
Paxton’s tenure has been marked by legal and ethical controversies, including a securities-fraud indictment shortly after he took office in 2015. Although charges were eventually dropped without admission of guilt, the case was funded by donations from supporters totaling over $730,000. In 2023, Paxton was impeached by the Texas House on allegations of abusing his office but was acquitted in a Senate trial. During the investigations, aides described Paxton’s interest in leveraging the perks of office and noted instances of questionable expense claims.
As the Senate campaign intensifies, Paxton has sought to emphasize his modest background, noting that he grew up in a military trailer with limited means. Nonetheless, his current lifestyle, including multiple luxury properties in Utah, Florida, and Hawaii, and appearances at high-end events across the country, remains a focal point for critics who question his representation of ordinary Texans.
The broader debate over Paxton’s travel and expenditures unfolds against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny of public officials’ use of state resources. Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who has also traveled extensively with a security detail costing more than $5.4 million since 2015, faces similar considerations, underscoring challenges officials encounter balancing public duties with personal activity.