Summary (tl;dr)

Mayes Middleton has defeated Chip Roy in the Republican primary runoff election for Texas Attorney General, setting him up to face Democrat Nathan Johnson in the November general election.

Essential Background

The race for Texas Attorney General became open after incumbent Republican Ken Paxton announced he would be running for the U.S. Senate. In the initial Republican primary held on March 3, 2026, neither Mayes Middleton nor Chip Roy secured more than 50% of the vote, leading to a runoff election. Middleton, a state senator, received 39.2% of the primary vote, while U.S. Representative Roy garnered 31.7%.

The Full Story

On May 26, 2026, Mayes Middleton, a conservative state senator and oil and gas executive, emerged victorious over U.S. Representative Chip Roy in the Republican primary runoff for Texas Attorney General. The election was characterized by a contentious and expensive campaign, with Middleton investing over $16 million of his own money into the race. A central theme of the campaign was loyalty to former President Donald Trump, with Middleton branding himself as "MAGA Mayes" and criticizing Roy for past statements perceived as critical of Trump, including comments about the January 6, 2021 events. Roy, a four-term congressman, emphasized his legal experience, having previously served as Texas' First Assistant Attorney General, and questioned Middleton's qualifications, particularly his courtroom experience. Middleton will now advance to the November general election to compete against Democratic State Senator Nathan Johnson.

Why It Matters

This runoff election was a significant contest within the Republican Party, highlighting the ongoing influence of alignment with Donald Trump in Texas politics. Middleton's victory, largely fueled by his self-funded campaign and strong "MAGA" messaging, demonstrates a continued trend of conservative voters favoring candidates who unequivocally support the former President's agenda. The incoming Attorney General will inherit a powerful office, which Ken Paxton used to challenge federal policies and advance conservative legal initiatives. Both Middleton and Roy had vowed to continue this combative approach, focusing on issues like border security, election integrity, and challenging "woke-left" agendas. The outcome sets the stage for a critical general election in November, with the future direction of the Texas Attorney General's office and its role in national conservative legal battles at stake.

Geographic Location

• Texas, United States (statewide Republican primary runoff election for Attorney General)