Rep. Chip Roy Heads to Runoff in Texas Attorney General Race
Rep. Chip Roy is set to continue his political journey as he advances to a runoff in the contest to succeed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. In a twist of political fate, Roy will face off against state Sen. Mayes Middleton, who initially held a commanding lead over him by more than ten percentage points, with three-fifths of the votes tallied.
This primary has morphed into a litmus test for loyalty to former President Donald Trump. Both Reitz and Middleton criticized Roy for his previous divergence from Trump’s line, particularly when he called for Paxton to resign amid allegations of bribery and abuse. In contrast, they flaunted their own Trump-leaning credentials, effectively waving the MAGA flag in hopes of rallying support.
Interestingly, Trump has refrained from endorsing any candidate in this heated race.
Roy, who has chaired the House Freedom Caucus and represented Texas’ 21st congressional district since 2019, has built a reputation as a staunch conservative ideologue. His prowess in both polling and fundraising has attracted endorsements from prominent conservatives, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and fellow members of the Freedom Caucus.
However, Middleton’s apparent lead suggests he enters the runoff as the frontrunner. The dynamics now hinge on whether Trump will weigh in on this contest, especially given his past remarks suggesting Roy should face a primary challenge.
