Updated on Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. with additional information.

A month before the March 6 primary, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has guaranteed a $2 million loan to the state Senate campaign of his wife, Angela Paxton.

The loan for Angela Paxton's campaign came from the Bank of the Ozarks and was backed by Ken Paxton's attorney general campaign fund.

Angela Paxton is in a tough fight for Senate District 8 against Richardson businessman Phillip Huffines, who has raised and spent more money than Paxton in one of the most-watched races of the primary season. It's testing loyalties in Collin County, with Paxton more connected to the area's GOP political base, and Huffines having strong name recognition because of his family's businesses.

"Of course I'm strongly supporting my wife and have been throughout her campaign," Paxton said in a written statement. "As someone who has represented Senate District 8, the legacy of conservative leadership is very important to me and there is no doubt that Angela Paxton is the constitutional conservative most trusted to represent this district."

Huffines campaign strategist Matthew Langston criticized the arrangement of the loan.

"Good people, including the Huffines family, who gave to Ken Paxton's AG account are now on the hook for their gamble, and the conservative movement is the loser," Langston said. "The Paxtons are running their campaign on debt, borrowing money they don't have."

Paxton's guarantee of the loan to his wife's campaign also drew criticism from Justin Nelson, a Democratic candidate for attorney general.

"This loan is political money laundering," said Nelson's campaign manager Nate Walker in a news release. "It's shocking but not surprising that our indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton is using campaign funds to further his personal interest. This loan emphasizes the corruption of the political class."

Candidates Phillip Huffines and Angela Paxton participated in the Republican Club legislative forum at Heritage Ranch Golf and Country Club in Fairwiew on Jan. 8. (Jason Janik / Special Contributor)

As of last month, Ken Paxton had more than $5 million in his campaign account.

He's up for re-election this year, but he is unopposed in the GOP primary, so he can afford to help his wife in her Republican primary.

For the campaign period from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, Angela Paxton raised over $141,000. She spent more than $355,000, according to a report filed with the Texas Ethics Commission. With the loan, she had just over $2 million in her campaign fund.

Huffines raised about $167,000 for the same period, spent $759,000 and had $1.3 million in hand. Huffines loaned his campaign $2 million, according to his financial disclosure report.

Huffines is trying to join his twin brother, Don Huffines, in the Senate.

He could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.