In 1982, Paxon was elected to the New York State Assembly. In 1988, he was elected to the House of Representatives as a Republican and served until 1999. During this time he served as chair of House Leadership during 105th Congress. In 1992 he was elected Chairman of National Republican Congressional Committee. He served as key advisor in George W. Bush's Presidential Campaign of 2000 and then served as chairman of the Bush-Cheney Transition Advisory Team. After leaving Congress, he became an advisor to senior GOP congressional leaders and served as chairman of the Majority Fund at the Republican National Committee.

Paxon was born in Akron, near Buffalo, New York. At the age of 15 Paxon volunteered for the first congressional campaign of former Buffalo Bills quaterback Jack Kemp. Paxon graduated from Canisius College and was elected to the Erie county legislature. At 23, Paxon was the youngest member ever. In addition, he holds honorary doctorates from Daeman College, Roberts Wesleyan College and Canisius College.

While in Congress, the traditionalist conservative Paxon worked closely with more moderate Susan Molinari and later proposed to her on the House floor. Molinari, who is from Staten Island, served as an elected member of the House Republican Leadership. They wed in 1994 and now reside in Alexandria, Virginia with their two daughters.