Here’s who’s winning the Republican primary runoff for Texas attorney general
State Sen. Mayes Middleton is leading U.S. Rep. Chip Roy in the Republican Party primary runoff for Texas attorney general.
Middleton leads Roy 56.45% to 43.55% with 725 of 3,153 polling locations reporting, according to unofficial results from the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.
The two are facing off to determine which will succeed Ken Paxton, who is projected to win his runoff against four-term incumbent U.S. Senate incumbent John Cornyn for the Republican nomination.
This is the first election since 2015 without an incumbent running to be Texas’s highest ranking prosecutor.
The race to succeed Paxton has focused more on style than on policy.
Middleton has cast himself as the heir apparent to Paxton’s legacy as a MAGA warrior, going so far as to give himself the nickname “MAGA Mayes Middleton.”
Roy served in Paxton’s attorney general’s office, but broke with him in 2020 after calling for the attorney general to resign over bribery allegations.
He’s focused on his time in the state attorney general’s office rather than Paxton’s legacy.
Roy has also attacked Middleton over his qualifications to be state AG.
Middleton has a law degree from the University of Texas Law School, and has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 2008, but has never served as a prosecutor.
Roy told a crowd of supporters in Dripping Springs he wouldn’t hire Middleton for an entry level position at the attorney general’s office.
Middleton has pushed back framing the position as more administrative and arguing that his background as a business executive and state lawmaker make up for his lack of courtroom experience.
Paxton hasn’t openly endorsed a candidate in the race, however, in a leaked audio clip obtained by Texas Bullpen, Paxton can be heard saying he’s voting for Middleton.
This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 7:08 PM.
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