Inside Ken Paxton's jet-setting lifestyle: California wineries, European hot spots and ski resorts

An Associated Press review of records highlights Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s extensive travel during his Senate campaign and while serving as the state’s top law enforcement official. The report says Paxton announced his bid on Fox News and scheduled a hotel stay during the Masters in Augusta, Georgia—a trip that cost Texas taxpayers at least $25,000. Since taking office in 2015, he left about 730 workdays blank on official calendars and took over 275 out-of-state trips to places including California’s wine region, Caribbean resorts and European destinations. Travel reimbursements tied to his security detail rose from about $30,000 in 2015 to nearly $400,000 in 2024, totaling a minimum of $1.9 million. His Democratic opponent, James Talarico, has cited specific travel issues.