Texas Attorney General election, 2026

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Texas Attorney General
	Democratic primary; Republican primary; General election;
Election details
	Filing deadline: December 8, 2025
	Primary: March 3, 2026; Primary runoff: May 26, 2026; General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
	Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Voting in Texas
Ballotpedia analysis
	Federal and state primary competitiveness; State executive elections in 2026; Impact of term limits in 2026; State government trifectas; State government triplexes; Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
Texas; executive elections
	Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Attorney General; Agriculture Commissioner; Comptroller; Land Commissioner; Railroad Commissioner; State Board of Education (8 seats);

Texas 2026 elections

U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • Lt. Gov • Attorney General • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Special state legislative • Supreme court • Appellate courts • Municipal • All local elections by county • How to run for office

Texas is holding an election for attorney general on November 3, 2026. The primary is March 3, 2026, and a primary runoff is May 26, 2026. The filing deadline was December 8, 2025.

For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

General election

The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Attorney General of Texas

Tony Box, Joe Jaworski, and Nathan Johnson are running in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Texas on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Tony Box
		Joe Jaworski
		Nathan Johnson

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Attorney General of Texas

Joan Huffman, Mayes Middleton, Aaron Reitz, and Chip Roy are running in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Texas on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Joan Huffman
		Mayes Middleton
		Aaron Reitz
		Chip Roy

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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March 3 Republican Primary

See also: Texas Attorney General election, 2026 (March 3 Republican primary)

Ballotpedia identified the March 3, 2026, Republican primary as a battleground primary. For more on the Republican primary, click here. For more on the Democratic primary, click here.

Joan Huffman (R), Mayes Middleton (R), Aaron Reitz (R), and Chip Roy (R) are running in the Republican primary election for Texas Attorney General on March 3, 2026.

Incumbent Ken Paxton (R) is running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Texas in 2026.

The Texas Tribune's Gabby Birenbaum and Eleanor Klibanoff wrote that "[as] the biggest attorney general's office in a red state, Texas' top lawyer serves an outsized role in the conservative legal movement."^[1] Birenbaum also said the race will likely be characterized by candidates "position[ing] themselves as the ideological heirs to Paxton’s conservative legal movement, which has put Texas at the forefront of high-profile cases on religious liberty, abortion and election law."^[2]

Huffman was elected to the Texas State Senate in 2008. She previously worked as a prosecutor and a judge.^[3] Huffman is campaigning on her legal experience, saying she has worked to "[uphold] the rule of law and [protect] our families."^[3] She is also campaigning on her support of law enforcement and public safety, highlighting legislation she wrote that increased penalties for violent crimes, targeted drug trafficking, and funded border security.^[3] The Houston Police Officers Union and Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association endorsed Huffman.^[4]

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.^[5] Middleton is campaigning on his support for President Donald Trump’s (R) agenda, calling himself "a steadfast ally of President Trump and a proven champion of the America First movement."^[5] Middleton says he would focus on public safety and would “fight to secure the border, ensure law and order, and be tough on crime."^[6] U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas) endorsed Middleton.^[7]

Reitz is an attorney who served as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy in the U.S. Department of Justice from March to June 2025, and he previously served as Texas’ Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy under Paxton.^[8]^[9] Reitz is campaigning on his support of Paxton, saying, "Under Ken Paxton, Texas has been a shining example for the conservative movement on how to fight and win against the enemies of Law, Order, and Liberty."^[2] He is also campaigning on his support of and connection to Trump, saying he would "ensure the full weight of the Office of the Attorney General is behind President Trump and his agenda," and noting that Trump called him "a true MAGA attorney."^[10]^[11] Paxton endorsed Reitz.^[2]

Roy was elected to the U.S. House in 2019. He previously served as Texas’ First Assistant Attorney General under Paxton.^[12] Roy is campaigning on his support of 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."^[1] Highlighting his legislative career, Roy says he has experience with border security, supporting law enforcement, and combating election fraud.^[13] U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) endorsed Roy.^[2]

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Joan Huffman

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

Texas State Senate, District 17 (Assumed office: 2008)

Biography: Huffman received a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a J.D. from South Texas School of Law. She previously worked as a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and served as a judge in Harris County.

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Huffman highlighted her legal experience and said she "[upheld] the rule of law and [protected] our families." She also said she worked to "strengthen the criminal justice system and bring transparency and accountability to the judiciary."

On public safety, Huffman called herself a "tireless supporter of our law enforcement officers" and said she worked to fund law enforcement, pass bail reform legislation, and increase penalties for violent crimes during her legislative career.

Huffman said she would support border security, noting that she "appropriated billions of dollars toward Operation Lone Star to help our state address the massive surge of illegal immigrants." She said, "[T]here is still work to be done as dangerous individuals and narcotics continue to illegally cross our vast southern border."

Huffman highlighted her legislative career as displaying her priorities, saying she passed legislation that improved election security, lowered taxes, and cut spending.

Show sources

Sources: Joan Huffman 2026 campaign website, "About," accessed October 14, 2025; Joan Huffman 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed October 14, 2025; Texas Senate, "Senator Joan Huffman: District 17," accessed October 14, 2025

Mayes Middleton

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

Texas State Senate, District 11 (Assumed office: 2023)
Texas House of Representatives, District 23 (2019-2023)

Biography: Middleton received a bachelor’s degree and J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. At the time of the election, he was an attorney, worked as the president of an oil company, and operated ranches and farms.

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Middleton said his record supported President Donald Trump’s agenda and said he was "a steadfast ally of President Trump and a proven champion of the America First movement."

On public safety, Middleton said he would prioritize border security and prosecuting violent crimes. Middleton said he would "arrest and deport dangerous, violent criminals who have entered our country illegally."

Middleton said he would support taxpayers and consumers by "[enforcing] the open records act so it’s easy for taxpayers to know how their dollars are spent" and "[suing] corporations for deceptive trade practices."

Middleton said he would focus on election security by enforcing current election laws and "[ensuring] only legally qualified U.S. citizen voters vote in our Texas elections."

Show sources

Sources: Mayes Middleton 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed October 14, 2025; Mayes Middleton 2026 campaign website, "Home," accessed October 14, 2025; Texas Senate, "Senator Mayes Middleton: District 11," accessed October 14, 2025

Aaron Reitz

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I’m a Christian, husband, father of four, U.S. Marine, and lifelong conservative fighter who has spent my career on the front lines of lawfare combat. I married my high school sweetheart, and together we’re raising our family in Central Texas. I joined the Marine Corps out of a deep sense of duty, serving in Afghanistan and swearing an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic—a promise I’ve carried with me into every role since. After my military service, I dedicated my career to defending Texas and conservative values in the legal and political arena. I served as Ken Paxton’s Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy, where I led Texas’s biggest fights on border security, election integrity, and constitutional freedoms. I later served as Chief of Staff to Senator Ted Cruz and was appointed by President Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to run the Office of Legal Policy at the Department of Justice, where I helped shape national legal strategy and advance the America First justice agenda. In every chapter of my life, I’ve fought for the principles that keep Texas strong: faith, family, freedom, and the rule of law. I’m not a career politician; I’m a Texan who knows our state and nation are worth defending with everything I have. My record proves I know how to win the battles that matter most, and I’m ready to keep serving Texans with the same grit, conviction, and integrity that have guided me my entire life."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

My campaign is all about advancing an America First Law & Order agenda that puts Texans’ freedoms, rights, safety, and sovereignty first. As Attorney General, I will use every tool at my disposal to secure the border, protect jobs, defend constitutional rights, and push back against the radical left’s attempts to remake our state. By going on offense in the courts, I will make sure Texas remains the stronghold of Liberty and the Rule of Law in America.

Securing our southern border is non-negotiable. I will relentlessly pursue legal action against anyone aiding illegal immigration, target the cartels driving human and drug trafficking, and back law enforcement with every tool available. As a former senior Trump DOJ official, I am uniquely positioned to partner with the White House to accelerate operations that identify, arrest, detain, and deport illegal aliens. Restoring border security will protect Texas families, strengthen our economy, and preserve our state’s sovereignty.

I will root out corruption and stop far-left local governments from undermining Texas values. Rogue officials will be held accountable, radical policies blocked, and the far left prevented from steering our state into the ditch. By defending the Constitution and enforcing the rule of law, Texas will remain strong, free, and firmly grounded in the principles that built America.

Chip Roy

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

U.S. House of Representatives, Texas District 21 (Assumed office: 2019)

Biography: Roy received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Virginia, as well as a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. He previously worked as a prosecutor and political advisor to statewide and national politicians, and he previously served as Texas’ First Assistant Attorney General.

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Roy said his legal experience in the Office of Attorney General qualified him for the office, saying, "I’ve prosecuted criminals and had law enforcement’s back."

On public safety, Roy said he would "defend Texas families, secure our communities, and preserve the Lone Star State’s legacy of freedom."

Roy highlighted his legislative career as displaying his priorities, saying he passed legislation that increased border security, supported law enforcement, and promoted election security.

Roy said he would focus on supporting the legal rights of Texans’, saying that he has "[put] Texans above corporate cronyism and global interests" during his legislative career.

Show sources

Sources: Chip Roy 2026 campaign website, "Meet Chip," accessed October 14, 2025; YouTube, "I'm Running for Attorney General of Texas," October 13, 2025; Chip Roy 2026 campaign website, "Meet Chip," accessed October 14, 2025; Representative Chip Roy, "About," accessed October 14, 2025

See more

See more here: Texas Attorney General election, 2026 (March 3 Republican primary)

Candidate profiles

There are currently no candidate profiles created for this race. Candidate profiles will appear here as they are created. Encourage the candidates in this race to complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey so that their profile will appear here.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

No candidate in this race has completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia is seeking 100 percent participation so voters can learn more about all the candidates on their ballots.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Texas

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Past elections

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2014.