ProPublica and The Texas Tribune analyzed Ken Paxton's travel records since he assumed office in 2015 and found he took nearly 1,000 trips with a state-funded security detail. The analysis found that only 1 in 6 trips had a listed business purpose, and only 138 trips and $553,000 in security costs could be connected to state business.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 9, 2026
Sources
Reported by 6 outlets
Taxes and money
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
State-funded security detail costs for all trips since 2015$3.3 million123Who pays or receives it: Taxpayers
Security costs for trips connected to state business$553,000123Who pays or receives it: Taxpayers
Who's involved
Ken PaxtonTexas Attorney General who took the trips
ProPublicaNonprofit newsroom that conducted the analysis
The Texas TribuneNews organization that conducted the analysis
Chris TothFormer executive director of the National Association of Attorneys General who commented on the findings
The facts
Since assuming office in 2015, Paxton took nearly 1,000 trips with state-funded security detail.123Stated by 3 sources
Only 1 in 6 of Paxton's trips had a listed business purpose.123Stated by 3 sources
ProPublica and Tribune could connect 138 trips to state business from travel records reviewed.123Stated by 3 sources
Paxton took at least 17 trips during summer 2023 suspension, including to Park City, Utah and Vail, Colorado.123Stated by 3 sources
Records detailing purpose of Paxton's visits to 36 states and 19 countries do not appear to exist.123Stated by 3 sources
In summer 2023, Paxton was suspended after impeachment and barred from official business for three months.123Stated by 3 sources
Texas Senate ultimately acquitted Paxton on the impeachment charges.123Stated by 3 sources
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Chris Toth, former executive director of National Association of Attorneys General Extra trips become ethically and morally problematic.13
The Associated Press Paxton traveled frequently out of state while listing little on his official calendar.123
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Ken Paxton took nearly 1,000 trips with state-funded security detail costing millions of dollars
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
Texas A&M University-Victoria held an investiture ceremony Wednesday to celebrate President Christian Hardigree's first year of leadership and the university's first year in The Texas A&M University System. State and federal officials, university system leaders, and higher education representatives attended the event at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts.
Christian Hardigree, President of Texas A&M University-Victoria; AJ Louderback, Texas State Representative; Lois Kolkhorst, Texas State Senator and 4 more
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Federal Aviation Administration, Issued temporary flight restriction; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Stated military will shoot down cartel drones; Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Said restrictions will counter cartel drone threats and 1 more
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Patrick Von Dohlen, Republican candidate for Bexar County judge; Ron Nirenberg, Democrat candidate for Bexar County judge; Rob Giesecke, Republican candidate for Brazoria County judge and 3 more
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Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator and 2 more
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Austin Police Department, Investigating death; Austin Fire Department, Assisted with body recovery; Austin-Travis County EMS, Responded and pronounced person dead and 1 more
Democratic and Republican candidates released third-quarter campaign fundraising reports for the 2026 midterm elections. Democrat James Talarico's Texas Senate campaign raised $60 million between July and September, while Republican Ken Paxton's campaign raised about $10 million in the same period. Elon Musk's super PAC has heavily backed Paxton's campaign.
$$60 million for campaign funds raised, third quarter 2026
James Talarico, Democrat candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Senate; Elon Musk, Tech billionaire and super PAC backer of Republican candidates
University of Texas senior linebacker Rasheem Biles was named one of 16 quarterfinalists for the Lott Impact Trophy, announced Thursday. The award goes to the defensive player with the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field.
Rasheem Biles, Texas senior linebacker; Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, award sponsor