Rep. Chip Roy Announces Run for Texas Attorney General in 2026 Election
AUSTIN, Texas — August 22, 2025 — U.S. Representative Chip Roy (R-Texas), a staple figure in conservative politics and policy chair of the House Freedom Caucus, has officially declared his candidacy for Texas Attorney General in the 2026 election. The announcement, delivered on August 21, comes as Roy positions himself to succeed embattled Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose long tenure has been marked by both staunch Republican advocacy and a string of legal controversies.
Roy’s campaign launch is more than a personal political move — it represents a major development in a race that is expected to dominate Texas politics for the next year. With his deep ties to grassroots conservative networks, strong fundraising base, and a record on Capitol Hill, Roy is immediately seen as a formidable contender against a crowded Republican field.
Chip Roy’s Political Background
Chip Roy has served as the representative for Texas’ 21st Congressional District since 2019, a vast area covering parts of San Antonio, Austin, and the Hill Country. Known for his combative legislative style and uncompromising positions on immigration, federal spending, and states’ rights, Roy has built a reputation as a principled conservative willing to buck party leadership when necessary.
Before entering Congress, Roy accrued substantial legal and political experience. He served as chief of staff to Senator Ted Cruz, worked as a federal prosecutor, and held senior positions in the office of Texas Senator John Cornyn and in the Texas Attorney General's office under Ken Paxton’s predecessor, Greg Abbott. His legal background, coupled with his policymaking role in Washington, gives him both courtroom and political credentials for the state’s top lawyer position.
Motivations for Returning to Texas
Roy’s campaign announcement emphasized his desire to return permanently to Texas political life, after years in federal office. In remarks made at a rally in New Braunfels, he described being inspired by community resilience in the wake of devastating Hill Country flooding earlier this summer.
“I have spent years battling on Capitol Hill against policies that threaten Texas’ sovereignty and liberty,” Roy said. “Now it’s time to fight that battle here at home.” His speech referenced what he sees as existential threats from “open-border policies,” “radical leftists,” and “faceless foreign corporations.”
The language reflects Roy’s broader political brand — a blend of constitutional originalism, economic nationalism, and populist rhetoric that resonates deeply with rural and suburban Texas Republicans.
A Crowded Republican Primary Field
The race for Texas Attorney General is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive primaries in the state’s modern history. Alongside Roy, notable candidates include:
- State Senator Joan Huffman of Houston, a veteran legislator known for her legal expertise and leadership on budget and judicial matters.
- State Senator Mayes Middleton from Galveston County, a wealthy businessman and staunch conservative often aligned with grassroots activists.
- Aaron Reitz, a former top deputy and legal aide to Ken Paxton, positioning himself as the continuity candidate for Paxton’s legacy.
These contenders reflect the spectrum of Texas Republican politics, from establishment insiders to populist firebrands. While each has a base of support, Roy enters with the advantage of national name recognition, strong conservative credentials, and a substantial federal campaign war chest of more than $2.5 million.
The Shadow of Ken Paxton
No discussion of the 2026 Texas Attorney General race can ignore the long shadow cast by Ken Paxton. Having held the office since 2015, Paxton has been a polarizing figure. His tenure was marked by high-profile lawsuits against the Obama and Biden administrations, but also by lingering indictments for securities fraud and allegations of abuse of office.
Perhaps most critically, Paxton survived an impeachment attempt in 2020, an episode that shook Republican politics in Texas. Chip Roy notably supported Paxton’s removal during that time, a move that alienated pro-Paxton grassroots activists and put Roy at odds with former President Donald Trump, one of Paxton’s key allies.
This history could become a vulnerability for Roy, as some Republicans still view Paxton as unfairly targeted by establishment forces. Yet Roy has signaled confidence that his broader conservative record will outweigh those concerns.
Lessons from Texas Political History
The race for attorney general has historically been a springboard for higher office in Texas. Both Greg Abbott and John Cornyn used the post as a launching pad to the governorship and the U.S. Senate, respectively. Few offices in state politics combine as much legal authority with such high political visibility.
In past decades, the attorney general’s office has often served as the state’s legal counterweight to federal policy. Abbott, for instance, made nationals for suing the Obama administration dozens of times, a model later followed by Paxton against the Biden White House. Roy’s entry signals that he intends to continue — and possibly escalate — that tradition of legal confrontation.
Comparing Regional Dynamics
Texas is not alone in seeing heated attorney general races. Across the South and Sun Belt, the position has become a critical battleground between states and the federal government.
- Florida: Attorney General Ashley Moody has played a pivotal role in lawsuits challenging Biden administration immigration policy, setting a template that Texas conservatives have admired.
- Arizona: The state’s recent AG races have mirrored Texas in intensity, with Republican candidates emphasizing border enforcement and election security.
- Louisiana: The attorney general’s office has often served as a stepping-stone to the governorship, as seen with Jeff Landry, now governor.
In this regional context, Roy’s candidacy reflects a broader Republican strategy: positioning state attorneys general as frontline defenders of conservative policy against federal power.
Economic and Legal Stakes for Texas
The attorney general’s office wields enormous influence over Texas’ economic and legal landscape. Beyond federal lawsuits, the AG oversees consumer protection enforcement, corporate regulation, and litigation on behalf of state agencies.
Roy has indicated he would prioritize litigation against large multinational corporations he accused of undermining Texas industries, particularly energy and agriculture. He has also vowed to intensify challenges to Biden administration border policies, framing the issue not simply as immigration enforcement but as a matter of state sovereignty.
The economic stakes are significant. Corporate interests in Texas — from energy giants like ExxonMobil to burgeoning tech firms in Austin — will be watching closely. An attorney general inclined toward aggressive litigation could either shield Texas industries from federal regulation or create friction with sectors reliant on global trade and investment.
Public Reaction and Early Momentum
Roy’s announcement has ignited passionate responses across Texas political circles. Supporters highlight his fiscal conservatism, his fierce criticism of federal spending, and his record of standing up to establishment Republicans. Conservative activists have praised him as a candidate who can blend Washington experience with Texas values.
Critics, however, argue that Roy’s record of confrontation in Congress, combined with his support for Paxton’s impeachment, leaves him vulnerable to attacks from the right. Questions about his ability to unify a sharply divided Texas GOP loom large, especially in a primary where grassroots activists often dominate turnout.
Digital campaigns supporting and opposing his candidacy emerged within hours of his announcement, underscoring the urgency with which Texas politics now views the 2026 race.
What Comes Next in the Race
While the Republican primary will likely decide the next Texas Attorney General, the general election cannot be overlooked. Texas Democrats, though historically disadvantaged in statewide races, are expected to field a strong candidate, with speculation pointing toward current Travis County District Attorney José Garza or former U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher.
Fundraising, endorsements, and grassroots mobilization efforts will dominate the next six months as candidates prepare for the March 2026 primary. Roy’s challenge will be converting his national conservative stature into broad grassroots appeal in a state where personal networks and local alliances often prove decisive.
Conclusion
Rep. Chip Roy’s decision to run for Texas Attorney General thrusts him into one of the most closely watched state races in the country. With legal, economic, and political implications for both Texas and the broader conservative movement, the contest is positioned to be a defining moment ahead of the 2026 elections.
As Roy squares off against seasoned state legislators, former Paxton allies, and perhaps challengers from the Democratic Party, the battle for control of Texas’ legal apparatus promises both high drama and high stakes. For now, Roy’s candidacy ensures that the tradition of Texas attorneys general as national powerbrokers will continue — but the path to victory is far from certain.
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