Texas AG Race Set: Middleton vs. Johnson in November, May 27

Texas held primary runoff elections on May 26 to pick nominees for attorney general and other statewide offices. Republican state senator Mayes Middleton won the GOP nomination with 56% of the vote, while Democrat Nathan Johnson took the Democratic side with 60%. The two will compete in November to become Texas’s next attorney general, replacing Ken Paxton who won the Republican Senate nomination.

Middleton Wins GOP Race on Trump Loyalty

Mayes Middleton defeated U.S. Rep. Chip Roy in the Republican runoff for attorney general. Middleton, a state senator from Galveston, invested nearly $17 million of his own money in the race and campaigned as the true MAGA candidate. Roy, a fourth-term congressman and former federal prosecutor, faced criticism for past statements calling Trump’s Jan. 6 conduct “clearly impeachable” and for supporting Ron DeSantis in 2024.

Johnson Advances on Democratic Side

Nathan Johnson, a state senator from Dallas, won the Democratic runoff with nearly 60% of the vote against former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski. Johnson will now face Middleton in the general election on November 3. The winner will replace Ken Paxton, who left the attorney general’s office to pursue the U.S. Senate seat.

What the AG Role Means

Under Paxton’s leadership, the Texas attorney general’s office became the lead advocate for President Trump’s agenda in the courts. Both Middleton and Roy promised to continue this approach. The AG serves as Texas’s top lawyer and oversees the state’s legal affairs. Middleton has backed hard-right legislation including restrictions on transgender people in bathrooms and sports, and placing the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.

Turnout and Election Scale

More than 1.3 million Republicans participated in the runoff, with 873,000 casting early ballots. Democratic turnout was lower at 470,000, partly because the Democratic Senate primary was decided in March. The runoff winners advance to the November general election, which will also feature the gubernatorial race between Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic nominee Gina Hinojosa. Vote data came from the Associated Press and NBC News Decision Desk.

Final Thoughts

Mayes Middleton and Nathan Johnson will compete for Texas attorney general in November. Middleton’s victory signals GOP voters prioritize Trump alignment over experience, while Johnson represents the Democratic alternative in a race to lead the state’s legal agenda.

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