Republican state Sen. Mayes Middleton defeated Rep. Chip Roy on Tuesday in the Texas attorney general Republican primary runoff, positioning himself to succeed Ken Paxton as the state's top legal officer.
The race became a bitter and expensive contest that served as a test of which candidate was more closely aligned with President Donald Trump and his MAGA agenda. Middleton, president of an independent oil and gas company, edged Roy in the March primary before securing victory in the runoff.
Middleton spent roughly $17 million of his own money on the campaign. Roy, a former Texas assistant attorney general and former chief of staff to conservative Sen. Ted Cruz, received late fundraising surges from major backers but ultimately fell short.
What the Right Is Saying
Middleton celebrated his victory by emphasizing his decade of fighting against progressive policies. "Instead of spending 10 years fighting President Trump, what have I done? I've spent 10 years fighting to defeat the left," Middleton told Fox News Digital.
Ted Cruz had endorsed Roy, praising him as the best candidate for the position. "No one better" than Roy to serve as Texas attorney general, Cruz said.
Roy argued that his experience made him ready on day one. "Having been the first assistant attorney general makes me ready on day one, but it's also that I've been a prosecutor, I've been in court, I've sat in front of a judge, stood in front of a judge, argued cases," Roy stated. He emphasized that Middleton had no courtroom experience.
Middleton pushed back by questioning Roy's conservative credentials and running ads claiming Roy "betrayed MAGA" over votes where the congressman broke with Trump on policy matters.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic state Sen. Nathan Johnson, who is expected to be the Democratic nominee after coming close to clinching his party's nomination in the primary, could present a contrast to either Republican candidate. Johnson's general election campaign may focus on qualifications and courtroom experience as key differentiators.
Some Democratic observers noted that the expensive Republican primary fight centered more on personal attacks over Trump loyalty than on policy substance or legal credentials needed for the attorney general role.
What the Numbers Show
Middleton spent approximately $17 million of his personal funds on the campaign, a significant sum that allowed him to dominate advertising in both primary contests.
Chip Roy served as Texas assistant attorney general before moving to Congress. He has served multiple terms representing Texas's 21st Congressional District.
President Donald Trump did not endorse in the Republican runoff between Middleton and Roy, staying neutral throughout the contest.
Ken Paxton chose not to seek re-election, instead running for the Republican Senate nomination against longtime GOP Sen. John Cornyn.
The Bottom Line
Middleton will face likely Democratic nominee Nathan Johnson in the November general election. The race will test whether Texas voters prioritize MAGA credentials or legal experience in selecting their next attorney general.
Paxton's decision to leave the AG post and run for Senate created a rare open seat that drew national attention and significant spending from both Republican campaigns.
What remains to be seen is whether Middleton's self-funded campaign strategy and focus on Trump loyalty will prove effective in the general election, or whether Johnson's emphasis on experience could resonate with broader Texas voters.