Ken Paxton’s Extravagant Travel Expenses Said to Total $1.9 Million for Texas Taxpayers—Includes Destinations like Masters Tournament, Napa, and Europe

Topline

Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton’s travel has cost taxpayers $1.9 million in security expenses, according to an Associated Press report. His out-of-state trips have significantly increased over his 11-year tenure as attorney general.

Texas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton speaks on stage at the 2026 Republican National Convention. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Key Facts

• Paxton has taken over 275 out-of-state trips since his election in 2015, leaving approximately 730 workdays blank.
• In 2022, he traveled to Augusta, Georgia during the Masters golf tournament, costing taxpayers at least $25,000.
• Between 2022-2024, his trips included destinations such as the Caribbean, Israel, and Europe, costing taxpayers significantly.
• He has made over 25 trips to California, costing more than $175,000, with one fundraising trip costing $11,000 billed to his campaign.

Contra

Paxton’s office contends that calendar entries don’t reflect the full scope of his work, which includes calls and strategy sessions. They assert his travel is necessary due to threats against him.

Chief Critic

Democratic opponent James Talarico has criticized Paxton’s travel habits, highlighting trips spent abroad, including a July 4 holiday in the U.K., and calling out his lack of familiarity with Texas.

Tangent

With increased travel, there has been a rise in Paxton’s conservative media appearances, with a reported 122 interviews scheduled in 2023 alone.

Key Background

Paxton has positioned himself as a staunch supporter of former President Trump, leading legal efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and suing the Biden administration multiple times. Despite this alignment, Paxton is reportedly trailing Talarico in polls.

Further Reading

1. Ken Paxton Slams Trump’s Midterm Convention In Leaked Audio (Forbes)
2. Hottest 2026 Midterm Races—Democrat Sherrod Brown Up 3 Points In Ohio Senate Race (Forbes)
3. Ken Paxton Beats Sen. John Cornyn In Texas GOP Primary After Trump’s Last-Minute Endorsement (Forbes)

This article was originally published on Forbes.com.