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Mayes Middleton defeated Chip Roy in the May 26 Republican primary runoff for Texas Attorney General

By

Lara Bonatesta

Mayes Middleton (R) defeated Chip Roy (R) 55.2% to 44.8% in the Republican primary runoff for Texas Attorney General on May 26. Middleton and Roy were the top two finishers among the four candidates in the March 3 primary. They advanced because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the primary. Middleton received 39.2%, and Roy received 31.7% in the primary.

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

Middleton and Roy both described the type of attorney general that they thought Texas needed. 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. At the time of the election, he was an attorney and president of an oil company. Middleton said 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 said he supported Paxton’s legal approach, and said, "[Paxton] and his team have done a great job fighting to defend Texas … We’re going to continue that legacy going forward." Roy said he had experience with border security, supporting law enforcement, and combating election fraud. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) endorsed Roy.

The March 3 Democratic primary also advanced to a runoff on May 26. In that runoff, State Sen. Nathan Johnson (D) defeated former Galveston mayor Joe Jaworski (D) 60.5% to 39.5%. Middleton will face Johnson in the Nov. 3 general election.