Full Breakdown
Mayes Middleton Wins Texas Republican Attorney General Runoff
5/27/2026, 6:16:36 AM
Runoff Result: Middleton Beats Roy
On May 27, 2026, Texas state Senator Mayes Middleton won the Republican runoff for attorney general with 55.7 % of the vote, defeating Congressman Chip Roy, who earned 44.3 %. The runoff followed a March 3 primary in which neither candidate secured a majority.
Context: Open AG Seat and MAGA Stakes
Incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton left the post to run for U.S. Senate, making the 2026 contest the first open statewide AG race in Texas in over a decade. Under Paxton, the AG’s office became a central MAGA tool, filing lawsuits against Democratic policies and advancing conservative priorities.
Candidates
Mayes Middleton, former chair of the Texas House Freedom Caucus and president of Middleton Oil Company, runs as “MAGA Mayes,” touting anti-abortion, anti-immigration and cultural-conservative legislation. Chip Roy, a U.S. Representative from the 21st district, served as first assistant attorney general under Paxton and as chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz. He calls himself a “genuine conservative” but has opposed Trump on impeachment and defended Liz Cheney.
Campaign Finances
The runoff became the costliest AG race in U.S. history. Middleton self-funded $16-17 million and totalled about $21 million in contributions. Roy raised roughly $13 million, including $8 million in the final weeks and $2 million of his own money, with a large boost from megadonor Alex Fairly. Roy outspent Middleton on runoff ads, but Middleton’s overall war chest remained larger.
Official Statements
Middleton said the AG’s chief duty is “defeating the left” and pledged to keep the “America First” agenda, accusing Roy of “betraying MAGA.” Roy countered by rejecting the accusation, stating that MAGA cannot be bought and emphasizing his prosecutorial background.
Criticism & Opposition
Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz called Roy “one of the most anti-Trump congressmen,” and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick rebuked Roy’s ties to Trump. Election-denier Cleta Mitchell defended Roy, urging support for “election integrity.” Middleton’s campaign cited Roy’s past impeachment support as evidence of disloyalty.
Conflicting Reports
Spending figures vary: Middleton’s self-funding is listed as $16 million by some sources and $17 million by others; Roy’s late-stage fundraising appears as $8 million in one report and $13 million overall in another. All agree Trump gave no formal endorsement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There’s no greater compliment that [Trump] could give me,” — Chip Roy, U.S. Representative
- “ And pointing to Middleton, Roy charged, "MAGA is not something you just buy.” — Chip Roy, U.S. Representative
- “Chip Roy is someone that has spent a decade fighting the president. He actually said President Trump committed impeachable conduct on the House floor,” — Mayes Middleton, Texas State Senator
- “The reason why [Roy] did so badly on Election Day is because his record of fighting President Trump caught up to him,” — Mayes Middleton, Texas State Senator
What’s Next
Middleton will face Democrat State Senator Nathan Johnson in the November 2026 general election. The contest will test whether Texas Republicans can maintain unified MAGA support, a factor analysts deem crucial for retaining statewide offices after three decades without a Democratic win.
