Angela Paxton is a member of the Texas Senate, having been elected to represent the rapidly growing Senate District 8 in November 2018. Her district is characterized by a vibrant economy that includes multiple Fortune 1000 companies and a variety of small businesses. A long-term educator, Paxton has more than 20 years of experience as a secondary math teacher and school counselor. Notably, she is the first educator to serve in the Texas Senate in over two decades. Her personal experiences, including being an adopted child and the first in her family to graduate from college, inform her commitment to educational and economic opportunities for all Texans.
Senator Paxton graduated from Baylor University with an undergraduate degree in Mathematical Science and holds a Master of Science in Education from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She is dedicated to her constituents, promoting policies that focus on education, economic development, and human dignity. In her role as a legislator, she articulates her approach with the guiding principles: Listen, Learn, and Lead.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on State Affairs and a member of several other committees—including Finance, Education, Local Government, and Nominations—Paxton plays a key role in shaping critical legislation. Her involvement in these committees showcases her commitment to addressing diverse issues affecting Texans, such as governance, education funding, and local government matters.
Throughout her legislative career, Senator Paxton has sponsored and co-sponsored several bills reflecting her educational values and political priorities. For instance, she sponsored House Bill 3803, which aims to empower parents by allowing them to choose whether their children can repeat a grade or course. This bill emphasizes parental involvement in education—a theme that resonates with many of her sponsored resolutions, such as Senate Resolution 264, which recognizes legislative days for Plano, highlighting local government and community engagement.
Paxton's political leanings are primarily conservative, demonstrated through her involvement with legislation aimed at enhancing parental rights in education, such as Senate Joint Resolution 29, which seeks to constitutionally affirm parental rights regarding their children’s education. Additionally, she has backed Senate Bill 33, which proposes improved funding for open-enrollment charter schools, reflecting her support for educational reform and choice.
Moreover, Paxton has co-sponsored bills like Senate Bill 20, which establishes guidelines on the enforcement of criminal offenses, signaling her engagement in criminal justice reforms aimed at enhancing accountability. Her legislative agenda also includes promoting transparency in local government, as indicated by her role in discussions within the Local Government Committee, where key issues such as property owner rights and local governance regulations are evaluated.
In her personal life, Senator Paxton is married to Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, and together they have four adult children and three grandchildren. The Paxtons are active members of the Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, which underscores their commitment to community and family values.
Overall, Angela Paxton's biography reflects a commitment to educational opportunities and conservative governance, where her professional experiences as an educator and her personal values shape her legislative approach and priorities.