The race to succeed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is officially underway, and it has its first major contender. On Tuesday, state Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston) announced his candidacy for the state’s top legal post, launching what is likely to become a high-stakes battle for one of Texas’ most powerful offices.
Middleton, a staunch conservative and businessman from the Gulf Coast, positioned himself as a fighter for Texas values and a loyal ally to former President Donald Trump. In a fiery campaign launch, he said his run for attorney general is about protecting the state’s conservative legacy and defending what he called “the Texas Miracle.”
“I am running for Texas Attorney General to continue the fight for our shared conservative values that keep the Texas Miracle alive,” Middleton said. “As Attorney General, I will join President Trump in his efforts to return America and Texas to common sense and to fight to secure the border, ensure law and order, and be tough on crime. So goes Texas, so goes America.”
Middleton’s announcement comes days after Attorney General Paxton formally declared his 2026 campaign for U.S. Senate, where he will challenge sitting Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). With Paxton leaving the attorney general’s office open, the contest to fill his shoes is now drawing candidates with serious political clout and financial backing.
Middleton quickly set himself apart by pledging to contribute $10 million of his own money to the campaign, giving him a strong head start over any opponents who must wait until after the legislative session to begin fundraising.
“The true test of a conservative leader is that you do the right thing when no one is looking,” Middleton said. “I do not give in. I do not relent. Even in the toughest of times, when others throw in the towel, I remain a resolute conservative.”
Middleton owns and operates Middleton Oil Company and has various other business interests along the Gulf Coast. His personal wealth and willingness to self-fund could reshape the dynamics of the race early on.
Middleton emphasized his commitment to public service over personal gain, noting he has refused the state pension and healthcare during his time in the Legislature and donates his salary to local charities.
A relative newcomer to statewide politics, Middleton nearly challenged Paxton in 2022 but ultimately declined. Instead, he chose to run for an open state Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood), who opted to retire. Middleton won the primary for Senate District 11 handily and has since carved out a reputation as a reliable conservative voice.
During his time in the Legislature, Middleton has focused on hot-button conservative priorities, including leading efforts to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying and authoring a 2023 law that bars biological males from competing in women’s collegiate sports.
Several of Middleton’s former Texas House colleagues have already endorsed his campaign, including Reps. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park), Cody Vasut (R-Angleton), and Dennis Paul (R-Houston), providing an early show of support from within the conservative grassroots.
Middleton’s Senate seat is up for election in 2026, meaning he cannot simultaneously run for attorney general and for re-election to the Senate — a clear signal that he’s all-in on this statewide race.
He will face at least one challenger: John Bash, a former Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney, who launched his campaign shortly after Paxton announced his Senate bid. Bash brings federal legal experience to the table and may appeal to conservatives looking for a more prosecutorial background.
