Story perspectives

Mayes Middleton Defeats Chip Roy, Wins Texas AG Nomination

5/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

State Sen. Mayes Middleton defeated Rep. Chip Roy in the Texas Republican runoff, winning the party’s attorney-general nomination.
Candidates spent over $20 million, making the runoff the costliest Texas attorney-general race in U.S. history.
Mayes Middleton invested nearly $17 million of his own money and pledged loyalty to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Mayes Middleton will face Democrat State Sen. Nathan Johnson in the November 6, 2026 general election for attorney general.

History

Historical Context

The 2018 Texas Senate race, where Democrat Beto O'Rourke raised about $80 million and lost narrowly to Republican incumbent Ted Cruz (50.9%-48.3%), showed that Texas elections could be decided by massive spending. Since the state has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994, parties now favor affluent self-financers in primaries, a pattern evident in the 2026 Attorney-General runoff.

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Story summary

State Sen. Mayes Middleton defeated Rep. Chip Roy in the Texas Republican runoff, winning the party’s attorney-general nomination.
Candidates spent over $20 million, making the runoff the costliest Texas attorney-general race in U.S. history.
Mayes Middleton invested nearly $17 million of his own money and pledged loyalty to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Mayes Middleton will face Democrat State Sen. Nathan Johnson in the November 6, 2026 general election for attorney general.

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