Triumphant Trump nominee's bold statement: Cheater Ken Paxton struts out in Margaritaville mode as sordid secrets of his love nest with mistress are exposed

By MARYANN MARTINEZ, US TEXAS BUREAU CHIEF Published: 00:11, 28 May 2026 | Updated: 00:13, 28 May 2026 Ken Paxton looked like a man who knew he couldn't lose just hours ahead of his Texas primary showdown after finally securing the coveted endorsement from President Donald Trump in the eleventh hour, exclusive photos by the Daily Mail reveal.  Images captured Tuesday afternoon by the Daily Mail show the Texas Attorney General, who defeated longtime establishment Republican candidate John Cornyn in a brutal Senate primary, confidently walking out of the back of the Marriott in Plano, Texas.  Paxton was wearing a teal Hawaiian button-up shirt, looking like the Mayor of Margaritaville. He paired his colorful vacation top with jeans and a sweater over his shoulders, and appeared to be completely stress-free. Perhaps the newly Trump-backed Republican was feeling relaxed after retreating to the new $2 million love nest he shares with his mistress – first exposed by the Daily Mail in September.  Trump announced his last-minute endorsement of the scandal-prone Texan just days before voters went to the polls.   'Nothing was going to be able to overcome that endorsement,' one Paxton insider who asked to remain anonymous told the Daily Mail Wednesday morning.  'Even Paxton's scandals couldn't stop that.'  Republican US Senate candidate Ken Paxton leaves a hotel in the Dallas area on election day looking more like he was vacationing, not running for office in a heated primary race President Donald Trump endorsed the scandal-prone Paxton one week before Election Day Paxton easily beat Republican incumbent US Senator John Cornyn In his current role as state AG, a term that expires in January 2027, Paxton is best known for filing more than 100 lawsuits on behalf of his state against the Biden Administration, and for being arrested and indicted on charges of securities fraud that were later dismissed. He has also been impeached – a political, not a criminal process – on allegations including bribery, dereliction of duty, obstruction of justice, abuse of public trust and other misconduct by lawmakers in the Lone Star State. He was acquitted and remained in his role as AG. Paxton has also twice been caught cheating on his wife.  During his 2022 impeachment trial, lawmakers heard allegations he had engaged in a quid pro quo with a donor in exchange for helping to find his former mistress, Laura Olson, a job. The Daily Mail later revealed details of his second and current affair, prompting wife Angela Paxton to file for divorce last year on 'Biblical grounds.' On Tuesday, the state AG left the hotel around 3.30pm, returning just after 7pm alone in a blue suit. By 8.15pm, Cornyn, who was surrounded by his wife and daughter, conceded he'd lost the race at his campaign party in Austin.  One anonymous Cornyn insider told the Daily Mail on Wednesday that the loss was 'devastating.' 'There was no overcoming the Trump endorsement,' he said, adding that they were proud of the campaign they had run. Paxton leaves the hotel after declaring victory Tuesday night  Paxton leaves the Dallas-Plano Marriott after thanking supporters and President Donald Trump for his endorsement Paxton is currently facing several scandals, including his ongoing affair with mistress Tracy Duhon Republican Texas Senator John Cornyn speaks alongside, from left, daughter Danley Cornyn, wife Sandy Cornyn and daughter Haley Cornyn during a primary runoff election night event after losing the Republican party's nomination on May 26, 2026, in Austin Not long after, Paxton took to the stage alone, thanking Trump for his endorsement. Noticeably absent was Tracy Duhon, his mistress of two years who he'd been shacking up with in the mansion just minutes from his election night party location.  The Daily Mail exposed their affair in September, revealing Paxton met the 58-year-old married Christian influencer and mother of seven in May 2024 at the Kentucky Derby. Neither Paxton nor Duhon have denied or confirmed their relationship.  The duo have quietly moved into a $2.1 million mansion inside a gated community in the coveted Dallas suburb of Frisco. The sprawling five-bedroom, five-bathroom property spans nearly 5,000sq ft and includes a swimming pool backing onto a manicured golf course at an exclusive $100,000-a-year country club. Multiple political insiders told the Daily Mail that Paxton is playing house in the luxury home – which property records show was purchased on February 13, just in time for Valentine's Day. With her then-husband Troy Duhon standing between them, Tracy Duhon and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton pose for a photo at the Kentucky Derby in May 2024  An aerial view of the $2.1 million house in Frisco, Texas, where Paxton and Duhon spend time Daily Mail sources reveal the couple mostly spend weekends at the property  Duhon was married to the owner of car dealerships in Louisiana when she began her affair with Paxton, but has since gotten divorced. Paxton has already turned his eyes to the general election against Democrat James Talarico.  The former middle-school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian has often spoken about his faith publicly and has crossover appeal to moderate Republicans. The 36-year-old is considered the best chance for a Democrat to win statewide office in 30 years.  Now that the spotlight is shining brighter on Paxton after his defeat of Cornyn, insiders speculated on what he will do and say publicly about Duhon. 'I'm guessing he will keep her hidden for the next 159 days,' one insider said, referencing the November 3 midterms.  However, Paxton faces another nasty fight before then.  He's scheduled to go to trial with his current wife, Angela Paxton, to settle and divide their large property portfolio on June 24.  Political insiders have assured the Daily Mail that Paxton intends to marry Duhon and that she 'has her eyes on being a senator's wife.'  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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