Full Breakdown
Texas GOP Attorney General Candidates Clash in Primary Debate
2/22/2026, 4:11:00 AM
Overview of the Debate
On February 17, 2026, four Republican candidates participated in a debate at the Granada Theater in Dallas, Texas, as they vie for the nomination to replace outgoing Attorney General Ken Paxton. The candidates—U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, State Sen. Joan Huffman, State Sen. Mayes Middleton, and former U.S. Assistant Attorney General Aaron Reitz—largely aligned on key GOP issues but engaged in sharp exchanges regarding their records and qualifications.
Key Candidates and Their Positions
Chip Roy, a fourth-term congressman from Austin, emerged as the frontrunner, facing significant criticism from his opponents. He emphasized his commitment to resisting federal overreach and maintaining state sovereignty, particularly regarding immigration enforcement and transgender policies. Roy's past role as Paxton's chief deputy was challenged by Reitz, who claimed Roy was ineffective in that position, a statement Roy denied, citing his endorsement from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
Joan Huffman, leveraging her extensive legal experience, criticized the feasibility of her opponents' promises to remove liberal district attorneys, questioning why such actions had not been taken during Paxton's tenure. Huffman argued for a more measured approach, stating, “If it was something that could be done on day one, it begs the question, why hasn’t Paxton already done it?”
Mayes Middleton, a prominent GOP donor, has invested nearly $12 million of his own money into the campaign, branding himself as “MAGA Mayes.” He faced scrutiny over his lack of legal experience outside his family business. Aaron Reitz, endorsed by Paxton, positioned himself as a candidate with a strong legal background, asserting that his opponents lacked the necessary experience.
Tensions and Exchanges
The debate featured heated exchanges, particularly regarding immigration and transgender policies. Roy criticized proposals that would invite federal intervention, stating, “It is amazing to listen to Republican attorneys general candidates standing up, saying they want massive federal laws to step over the state of Texas.” Middleton countered by accusing Roy of disloyalty to President Donald Trump, asserting, “What we don’t need is somebody who would be an attorney general like Chip Roy, who spent 10 years fighting President Trump.”
Official Statements and Responses
The debate was hosted by the Republican Attorneys General Association and moderated by Allie Beth Stuckey. RAGA Executive Director Adam Piper remarked, “The next Texas Attorney General will build upon an office shaped by Ken Paxton, Greg Abbott, and John Cornyn.” The candidates' positions reflect a continuation of Paxton's legal priorities, including cracking down on abortion-inducing pills and enforcing immigration policies.
What's Next
Early voting for the primary election runs through February 27, 2026, with the primary set for March 3. If no candidate secures over 50% of the vote, a runoff will occur in late May. The outcome of this primary is significant, as no Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since 1994, and the new attorney general will play a crucial role in shaping the state's legal landscape moving forward.
