SouthernWorldwide.com – In a closely watched Republican primary runoff for the Texas Attorney General’s race, state Senator Mayes Middleton has emerged victorious, defeating U.S. Representative Chip Roy. This outcome brings Middleton one step closer to potentially succeeding Ken Paxton as the state’s top legal officer.
The Associated Press confirmed Middleton’s win on Tuesday. He had previously edged out Roy in the March primary, setting the stage for this final showdown. The contest was marked by significant spending and a fierce debate over which candidate was a more ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump and his MAGA agenda.
Middleton, who is also the president of an independent oil and gas company, invested approximately $17 million of his personal funds into his campaign. Roy, a staunch conservative in the U.S. House and a former Texas assistant attorney general, saw a late surge in fundraising from prominent donors.
A key point of contention during the race was Middleton’s lack of courtroom experience, which Roy highlighted as a potential weakness for an Attorney General. Roy emphasized his background as a prosecutor and former first assistant attorney general, stating he was ready to serve from day one.
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“Having been the first assistant attorney general makes me ready on day one, but it’s also that I’ve been a prosecutor, I’ve been in court, I’ve sat in front of a judge, stood in front of a judge, argued cases, and he has never done any of those things. And we think those things should matter,” Roy had argued.
Middleton, in turn, questioned Roy’s conservative bona fides. He ran advertisements suggesting that Roy had “betrayed MAGA,” pointing to instances where the congressman had diverged from Trump on policy matters.
Roy defended his record, asserting his long-standing support for Trump’s agenda. However, he also stressed his independence, stating, “Everyone knows that I’m a longtime defender and supporter of the president’s agenda, of the America First agenda, the MAGA agenda, but I’m also an independent thinker who will stand up and make the case.”
Roy also criticized Middleton’s campaign, suggesting that his opponent believed the MAGA movement could be purchased. “MAGA is not something you just buy. My opponent thinks you can buy the brand,” Roy had stated.
Middleton countered these claims by asserting that Roy was misrepresenting his relationship with President Trump. “Chip Roy is putting out there that he is a top ally to President Trump when the exact opposite is the case,” Middleton had retorted.
Notably, former President Trump remained neutral in this particular runoff contest, neither endorsing nor opposing either candidate.
Looking ahead, Middleton is anticipated to face Democratic state Senator Nathan Johnson in the general election. Johnson was also in a close race for his party’s nomination, competing against former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski.
The decision by Ken Paxton not to seek re-election as Attorney General opened up the field. Paxton instead ran for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent GOP Senator John Cornyn.
