Mayes Middleton (R) and Chip Roy (R) are running in the Republican primary runoff for Texas Attorney General on May 26, 2026. Middleton and Roy were the top two finishers among the four candidates in the March 3 primary. Middleton and Roy advanced because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the primary. Middleton received 39.2% and Roy received 31.7%.

Incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is seeking Texas' GOP U.S. Senate nomination.

In an interview with Kera News' Caroline Love, Southern Methodist University professor Cal Jillson said that Paxton "became very much a legal officer for the National Republican Party and for Donald Trump personally." Love wrote that "As Paxton vies for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in the runoff, what the Texas Attorney General should or should not do has become a campaign issue for some of the candidates seeking to succeed him."

Love wrote that Middleton "is presenting himself as [Paxton's] natural successor — a fighter for Trump’s agenda. His well-funded campaign has peppered the airwaves with ads dubbing him 'MAGA Mayes.' Love wrote that Roy has both "touted his relationship with the president" and "publicly criticized Trump. He previously said in a press release that Trump’s conduct during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol during President Joe Biden’s inauguration was 'clearly impeachable' but called the Democrats’ articles of impeachment flawed."

Both candidates have described the type of attorney general that they think Texas needs. Middleton said, "We need someone in that office like me who will use every resource and tool to back up President Trump and his America First agenda, and that is exactly what I will do." Roy said, "You need somebody who’s demonstrated strength and independence. We’ve got to defend the state of Texas, defend our borders, defend our streets, keep it safe and defend ourselves against the federal government interfering with us, no matter who’s there.”

Middleton was elected to the state Senate in 2023 and served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023. He is an attorney and president of an oil company. Middleton says he would focus on public safety and would “fight to secure the border, ensure law and order, and be tough on crime." U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas) endorsed Middleton.

Roy was elected to the U.S. House in 2019. He previously served as Texas’ First Assistant Attorney General under Paxton. Roy says he supports Paxton’s legal approach, saying, "[Paxton] and his team have done a great job fighting to defend Texas … We’re going to continue that legacy going forward." Roy also says he has experience with border security, supporting law enforcement, and combating election fraud. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) endorsed Roy.

The March 3 Democratic primary for Attorney General also advanced to a runoff on May 26. Former Galveston mayor Joe Jaworski (D) and State Sen. Nathan Johnson (D) advanced to the Democratic primary runoff.

Click here to learn more about the Republican primary runoff for Texas Attorney General.