The Republican Contest for Texas Attorney General: A MAGA Purity Test
The race among Republicans to become Texas’ next attorney general has transformed into a litmus test for MAGA loyalty, with significant ramifications for the GOP’s trajectory following President Donald Trump’s departure from the political stage.
Rep. Chip Roy has emerged as a prominent figure in this contest, known for his role as a provocateur within the Freedom Caucus and his staunch fiscal conservatism. However, he has occasionally diverged from Trumpism, which complicates his bid to maintain his front-runner status for a position historically utilized to advance the conservative agenda. This role has often served as a launchpad for higher office, as evidenced by the current Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is now vying for a Senate seat.
The next Texas attorney general will play a crucial role in shaping the Republican party’s future in a post-Trump era, particularly in leading the conservative legal movement. Yet, for Roy to succeed, he must first overcome challenges posed by State Sen. Mayes Middleton and former DOJ attorney Aaron Reitz, both of whom have established themselves as fervent supporters of the MAGA movement. State Sen. Joan Huffman is also in the mix, presenting a more temperate approach to the role.
Currently, Roy holds a lead in the polls, but his opponents are eager to prevent him from surpassing the 50 percent threshold in the March primary, which would necessitate a runoff in May.
The primary strategy against Roy hinges on his past clashes with Trump, suggesting he lacks the full conservative credentials necessary to represent Texas effectively in legal matters. In response, Roy has countered by highlighting his reputation as a congressional obstructionist and his extensive experience in Washington, asserting that these qualities make him well-suited to be Texas’ chief legal officer.
The candidates’ fervor to showcase their MAGA credentials was unmistakable during the initial moments of a recent debate. Middleton boasted about being labeled a “MAGA champion” by Trump, while Reitz claimed the president views him as a “true MAGA attorney.” Huffman emphasized her role in collaborating with Trump on border security initiatives, and Roy noted his efforts in designating cartels as terrorist organizations.
Nevertheless, Roy’s adversaries have relentlessly criticized him for his previous divergences from Trump and party orthodoxy. Notably, he was the first to call for Paxton’s resignation after the latter faced bribery and abuse of office charges in 2020. Roy also broke ranks with Trump to certify the 2020 election and publicly condemned the president’s actions on January 6 as “clearly impeachable conduct.” Adding to the intrigue, Roy endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the 2024 presidential race, distinguishing himself as one of the few House Republicans not backing Trump during the primaries that year.
His refusal to toe the party line in the House has even drawn Trump’s ire at times, notably when he delayed funding bills. In late 2024, as Roy led the charge against Trump’s demand to raise the debt ceiling without restrictions, Trump lambasted him as “just another ambitious guy, with no talent,” encouraging primary challengers to emerge. Despite initially hesitating, Roy eventually supported Trump’s flagship legislative initiative, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“This is someone who harbors a deep disdain for the MAGA movement … and he’s only just now altering his tune now that election season is upon us,” Reitz remarked in an interview while promoting his own experience in the Trump Justice Department’s Office of Legal Policy. Reitz has notably secured Paxton’s endorsement and reported impressive fundraising figures.
Trump has yet to publicly endorse a candidate to succeed Paxton, but his potential backing looms large over the race. A recent poll indicates Roy leading with 33 percent support among likely Republican voters, followed by Middleton at 23 percent. Huffman and Reitz are trailing with 13 percent and 6 percent, respectively, while a quarter of voters remain undecided.
According to Jen French, chair of the Travis County GOP, “the attorney general position is viewed as the police officer of the state,” and voters are drawn to candidates who embody a combative spirit they associate with “fight, fight, fight.”
All four GOP candidates align closely on policy, pledging adherence to strict interpretations of both the Texas and U.S. Constitutions. However, Middleton and Reitz have made more flamboyant promises regarding law enforcement. Their differences are largely stylistic, as they vie for attention by taking strong stances on contentious issues like curbing the alleged encroachment of Sharia law in Texas and restricting access to abortion pills.
Middleton has branded himself “MAGA Mayes,” a slogan emblazoned on hats distributed at his campaign events. He has also leaned heavily into culture war topics that energize the base, advocating for bans on transgender student athletes and promoting the presence of the Ten Commandments in schools. The oil and gas entrepreneur from Galveston has notably self-funded his campaign, investing over $11 million into his efforts.
Roy, leading in fundraising, has garnered endorsements from prominent conservatives, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who previously employed Roy as his chief of staff, along with fellow Freedom Caucus members Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona. As of January, Roy reported having $4.2 million on hand, bolstered by a $2 million transfer from his congressional campaign account.
Huffman, one of the longest-serving state senators, emphasizes her background as a prosecutor and state district judge in Harris County. In interviews, she has articulated her vision of the attorney general as the “chief law enforcement officer for Texans,” vowing to collaborate closely with local law enforcement entities.
The eventual GOP primary winner will enter the general election favored in a Republican-leaning state. On the Democratic side, the race includes State Sen. Nathan Johnson and former Galveston mayor Joe Jaworski, who is making another bid for the nomination. Jaworski has expressed that voters are weary of the “rabid ultra MAGA representation” currently dominating the landscape, emphasizing a need for governance that prioritizes compassion over punishment.
The attorney general’s role has historically positioned its occupant at the forefront of the national culture wars, offering a springboard to higher office. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott held the attorney general position before his gubernatorial campaign, famously stating in 2013 that his daily routine involved “going into the office, suing the federal government, and going home.” The position has also been occupied by now-Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who is currently challenging Paxton in the Senate race.
Paxton has spent a decade steering the office into the heart of the culture wars, advocating for actions aimed at preserving religious liberty and spearheading multistate lawsuits against the federal government. The attorney general position has become a prime destination for ambitious young conservative legal talents, many of whom have ascended to judicial appointments under Trump.
Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, describes the position as a “choice position,” noting, “There’s this entire playing field within the legal system where states can significantly influence national policy across various areas. No state has leveraged the power of the courts more effectively—or aggressively—than Texas to advance a conservative policy agenda.”
