With current Attorney General Ken Paxton running for U.S. Senate, an open race has formed in the Republican primary to fill the position.
State Sen. Mayes Middleton, former Department of Justice official Aaron Reitz, and State Sen. Joan Huffman have announced their candidacies for the GOP nomination for attorney general.
State Sen. Mayes Middleton, president of Middleton Oil Co., announced his campaign for Attorney General in May, shortly after Paxton launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
Middleton notably authored and passed the Save Women’s Sports Act, which prohibits men from competing in women’s collegiate sports. He is also among the top scorers on the Texans for Fiscal Responsibility Index, indicating his votes closely match the group’s positions on pro-taxpayer legislation.
Middleton’s campaign website highlights his desire to “lead the charge to secure our border, protect Texas kids, ensure fairness in girls’ and women’s sports, protect Texas taxpayers and consumers, ensure strict election integrity, and root out waste, fraud, and abuse from our government.”
Recent campaign finance reports show Middleton has more than $10 million cash on hand after loaning $10 million to his campaign. It is the largest amount of cash on hand of any of the GOP candidates.
He has raised an additional $156,000, with notable contributors including Texans for Lawsuit Reform Founder Richard Weekley, venture capitalist Joe Lonsdale, and the Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC.
Aaron Reitz
A Marine Corps veteran, former deputy attorney general, and appointed assistant attorney general of the Office of Legal Policy in the DOJ under U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Aaron Reitz announced his candidacy for Texas attorney general in June.
When selected to be assistant attorney general of the Office of Legal Policy by President Donald Trump in December of last year, Attorney General Ken Paxton posted on X: “He’s a proven and effective fighter for our Constitution and American Values[.]”
Reitz’ campaign messaging emphasizes a desire to bring the Marine Corps’ fighting spirit to this position.
“I fought for freedom overseas. Now I’m ready to fight for it at home—by standing up for Texas in court.” Reitz wrote on his campaign website.
According to the most recent campaign finance reports, Reitz has raised more than $2.1 million and has most of that cash on hand. Top contributors to his campaign include Texas businessmen Gary Heavin and Jonathan Knutz, as well as Pennsylvania billionaire Jeff Yass. Heavin and Yass are frequent donors to GOP candidates such as Gov. Greg Abbot and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
State Sen. Joan Huffman, current chair of the Senate Finance Committee, has also entered the race for attorney general.
During her career as a senator, Huffman has served as chair of various committees, including State Affairs, Jurisprudence, and Redistricting.
Huffman highlights her experience as a former criminal district court judge as being relevant to the position of attorney general.
On her campaign website, she emphasizes strengthening public safety and bringing transparency and accountability to the judiciary as her goals.
“As your Attorney General, Joan Huffman will build upon the momentum she has created as one of the most effective and efficient senators to secure the border, protect our elections, support life, enhance public safety, and will fight for the people of Texas and their freedoms in the courtroom and beyond,” reads the website.
Huffman has raised over $763,000 in total contributions and has more than $3 million cash on hand.
Notable contributors include John and Barbra Nau III, owners of the Silver Eagle Beverages company, which distributes beer and other beverages in the San Antonio and Houston areas.
Former TLR board member Alan Hassenflu and his wife Cherie also donated to Huffman to the tune of $100,000.
Other contributors include Ross Perot, Richard Weekley of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the Border Health PAC, and the Houston Police Officers Union.
Election Dates
The last day to register to vote in the primary is Feb. 2. Early voting runs from Feb. 17 to Feb. 27, and the primary is March 3, 2026. The General Election is Nov. 3, 2026.
