(Texas Scorecard) – With Attorney General Ken Paxton officially running for U.S. Senate against Sen. John Cornyn, the race to replace him is heating up.
After former U.S. Attorney John Bash became the first to enter the race, State Sen. Mayes Middleton has now launched his own campaign for Texas attorney general, pitching himself as a conservative fighter ready to take the reins.
Middleton, who currently represents Galveston in the Texas Senate, announced his campaign Tuesday and pointed to his record of pushing conservative priorities in the legislature.
Among them: banning biological men from competing in women’s collegiate sports, blocking taxpayer-funded lobbying, securing the border, restoring prayer in schools, and opposing “job-killing green new deal policies.”
“I am running for Texas Attorney General to continue the fight for our shared conservative values that keep the Texas Miracle alive,” Middleton wrote. “As Attorney General, I will join President Trump in his efforts to return America and Texas to common sense.”
Middleton warned that Texas must remain a bulwark against a federal government increasingly hostile to conservative values.
“There isn’t another Texas to move to, and I will work to ensure Texas is the safest state to live and raise a family.”
He also contrasted himself with more politically calculating figures, saying true leadership means staying the course even when it’s difficult.
“The true test of a conservative leader is that you do the right thing when no one is looking. I do not give in. I do not relent. Even in the toughest of times, when others throw in the towel, I remain a resolute conservative.”
Middleton emphasized his commitment to public service over personal gain, noting that he has rejected the state pension and healthcare and donates his salary to charity. He also announced he is personally committing $10 million to jumpstart his campaign.
With both Bash and Middleton now officially in, the 2026 Republican primary for attorney general is shaping up to be a high-profile battle to succeed Paxton as the state’s top legal officer.