(Texas Scorecard) – The race to succeed Attorney General Ken Paxton is now officially underway, and the first candidate to step into the ring is no stranger to high-profile legal battles.
Former U.S. Attorney John Bash announced his campaign for the Republican nomination for Attorney General in 2026. Bash, who once served as the top federal prosecutor for the Western District of Texas under President Donald Trump, is known nationally for representing actor Alec Baldwin in the high-profile “Rust” movie set shooting case. He also counts Elon Musk among his legal clients.
His entry into the race comes the same week that Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he will not seek reelection and will instead launch a bid for the U.S. Senate to challenge longtime U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary.
In his campaign launch message, Bash warned of threats facing the state and laid out a vision of a tough-on-crime, constitutional conservative ready to step into the role on day one.
“The Texas Attorney General’s office is charged with protecting the well-being and constitutional rights of Texans—the first and last line of defense to preserve our safety, security, and prosperity,” Bash said. “I am that leader.”
He pledged to confront organized cartels, activist judges, corporate censorship, and “lawfare” being waged against conservatives.
Bash also highlighted the possibility of a far-left administration in Washington come 2028, arguing that Texas must be prepared to stand its ground.
“There is no guarantee that the Republican Party will hold the presidency,” Bash warned. “Should a far-left figure rise to power, Texas will need the toughest, most experienced legal representation to defend our way of life.”
He also praised the leadership of Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, saying he would continue to support policies that make Texas a “beacon of freedom and strength” while defending constitutional rights and supporting job growth.
Bash is the first to formally launch a campaign, but other candidates are expected to enter the race in the coming months as Republicans begin to line up for what will be the first open contest for attorney general in over a decade.
Other candidates rumored to be considering a run for the nomination include State Sens. Bryan Hughes (Mineola) and Mayes Middleton (Galveston), State Rep. Mitch Little (Lewisville), and former Texas GOP Chairman Matt Rinaldi.