Texas Republicans have handed state Sen. Mayes Middleton a decisive victory in the runoff for attorney general, elevating the self-described MAGA conservative over U.S. Rep. Chip Roy by roughly 12 points and signaling that the partys grassroots remain firmly aligned with the Trump wing of the GOP.
Texas Rep. Mayes Middleton emerged from a bruising contest as the Republican nominee for attorney general, defeating Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) after weeks of sharp attacks and heavy spending on both sides. According to RedState, CBS News projected Middleton as the winner on Tuesday night, confirming Decision Desk HQs earlier call that Mayes Middleton wins the TX Attorney General Republican Runoff.
The runoff was triggered when neither candidate secured more than 50 percent of the vote in the March 3, 2026, primary, where Middleton led with 39 percent to Roys 32 percent in a crowded field. That early edge, combined with Middletons deep pockets and unapologetic embrace of the Trump agenda, ultimately proved insurmountable for Roy despite his higher national profile.
Middleton, who previously served in the Texas House before moving to the State Senate, has long been regarded as one of the most conservative lawmakers in Austin. An attorney and successful businessman, he owns an independent oil and gas company along with ranching, cattle, and farming operations, giving him both economic and cultural credibility with Texas pro-energy, rural, and small-business voters.
Financially, Middletons campaign was powered largely by his own fortune, as he poured nearly $17 million of personal funds into the race. That self-funding allowed him to dominate the airwaves and mailboxes across the state, saturating Republican primary voters with ads branding him as MAGA Mayes and a steadfast ally of President Donald Trump.
The contest became a proxy fight over the future direction of the GOP, with Middleton hammering Roy for past criticism of Trump and for backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis failed 2024 presidential bid. Roy had previously said Trump engaged in clearly impeachable conduct on January 6, 2021, remarks that Middletons campaign repeatedly highlighted to portray Roy as out of step with the partys base and insufficiently loyal to the president.
This years race marks the first open contest for Texas attorney general in more than a decade, after incumbent Ken Paxton opted to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn rather than seek another term. Under Paxton, the attorney generals office became a national spearhead for conservative legal challenges, and both Middleton and Roy pledged to continue using the office as a bulwark for traditional values, border security, and resistance to federal overreach.
Middletons path to victory required overcoming Roys superior name recognition, particularly among national conservatives who admired Roys record in Congress. He did so by leveraging his financial advantage to blanket the state with television spots and mailers that emphasized his loyalty to Trump and his record as one of the most conservative members in Texas Senate historya proven, unapologetic MAGA conservative who fights and wins.
Although Trump declined to endorse either candidate and chose to stay on the sidelines for this race, Middleton repeatedly cited the presidents past favorable comments about him and vowed to work closely with a future Trump administration. He promised to work hand-in-hand with the Governor, the Legislature, the Department of Justice, and President Trump to make the Texas Attorney Generals office the strongest in the nationrelentlessly defending our laws and our Constitution.
Roy, for his part, gave up a safe House seat rather than seek a fourth term in Congress, betting that his experience as a federal prosecutor and as one of Ken Paxtons top aides would resonate with Republican voters. Yet in a political climate where anti-incumbent sentiment and distrust of Washington run high, Roys years in D.C. may have been more liability than asset, as grassroots conservatives gravitated toward Middletons outsider posture and business background.
Despite Roys allies outspending Middleton on advertising during the runoff phase, Middletons overall spending advantage across the full election cycle remained decisive. The result underscores how self-funding, when combined with a message tightly aligned with the partys populist base, can overcome institutional advantages and long-standing political brands.
Middleton also benefited from the backing of Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, one of the states most influential conservative leaders. Patrick publicly urged voters to support Middleton, writing, Why Im voting for @mayes_middleton: 1. Mayes Middleton is one of the most conservative members in Texas Senate historya proven, unapologetic MAGA conservative who fights and wins. 2. Mayes Middleton will work hand-in-hand with the Governor, the Legislature, the Department of Justice, and President Trump to make the Texas Attorney Generals office the strongest in the nationrelentlessly defending our laws and our Constitution. ?????????? ???? ???????????????? ?????????? ????????!
After the race was called, Roy turned to X to acknowledge defeat and to show at least outward party unity in the wake of a hard-fought campaign. Just a little while ago, I called and congratulated @mayes_middleton for his victory in our race for the Republican nominee for Attorney General. I will have a full statement tomorrow. Onward, Roy posted, signaling that he would not contest the outcome.
Middleton will now face Democrat state Sen. Nathan Johnson in November, setting up a stark ideological contrast over the role of the attorney generals office in confronting the Biden administration, defending Texas border efforts, and protecting religious liberty and parental rights. With no Trump endorsement on either side of the primary but a clear mandate from conservative voters, Middleton enters the general election as a well-funded, unapologetically pro-Trump standard-bearer poised to keep Texas top law office firmly in conservative hands if Republicans hold their statewide winning streak.
Login