Texas attorney general Ken Paxton’s wife has filed for divorce on “biblical grounds” over an alleged affair.

Angela Paxton, a Texas state senator, said she regarded marriage as a “sacred covenant” but had decided to end their 38-year relationship “in light of recent discoveries”.

Mr Paxton, a close ally of US president Donald Trump who is running to become senator for Texas, has previously been impeached over allegations including an affair with a Senate aide.

“Today, after 38 years of marriage, I filed for divorce on biblical grounds,” Mrs Paxton wrote on social media on Thursday.

“I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation. But in light of recent discoveries, I do not believe that it honours God or is loving to myself, my children, or Ken to remain in the marriage.”

She added: “I move forward with complete confidence that God is always working everything together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.”