U.S. Rep. Chip Roy announced today he’s running for Texas attorney general in 2026, a move that instantly upends the Republican primary to replace Ken Paxton, who is pursuing a U.S. Senate bid. Roy, a former first assistant attorney general under Paxton who later called for Paxton’s resignation in 2020, enters with high name ID and a record of bucking party leadership.
Why this matters
Paxton’s decision to run for Senate rather than seek another AG term opened the door to one of the most competitive statewide primaries in years. Texas law does not require Paxton to resign as AG while he campaigns for Senate, meaning he remains in office even as candidates compete to succeed him. Roy’s entry adds a well-funded, media-savvy conservative to a field that already includes state Sen. Mayes Middleton, former Trump DOJ official and Paxton aide Aaron Reitz, and state Sen. Joan Huffman.
The dynamics to watch
Trump factor: Roy has had a sometimes frosty relationship with President Trump. In a GOP primary likely to be shaped by Trump’s influence, whether Roy secures neutrality, an endorsement, or opposition could be decisive.
Paxton’s shadow: Roy once served as Paxton’s top deputy before breaking with him and publicly urging him to resign amid whistleblower allegations. Voters will be asked to choose between continuity with Paxton’s combative legal posture and candidates arguing for a reset.
Crowded lane: Middleton brings legislative clout and deep donor ties, Huffman touts a long prosecutorial and judicial résumé, and Reitz leans into Trump-world connections. Roy’s national profile and fundraising network could scramble those lanes.
What Roy brings
Roy represents TX-21, spanning parts of the Austin and San Antonio regions, and is known for hardline positions on spending, border and energy policy, and for challenging House leadership. His tenure as Paxton’s first assistant AG gives him management and litigation-oversight experience at the agency he now seeks to lead.
What’s next
Candidate filing runs through December for the March 2026 primaries, leaving time for more entrants and high-profile endorsements. Fundraising disclosures in the coming weeks will show whether Roy’s launch shifts donor support away from early entrants. Meanwhile, Paxton continues his Senate run, keeping the AG’s office in the news and the race in flux.
KRLD will track endorsements, fundraising reports, debates, and any legal or policy developments affecting the attorney general’s office as this race takes shape.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube