Texas Voters Select New Attorney General Tuesday

Texas voters will decide who serves as the state attorney general on Tuesday, Nov. 3. This marks the first time in more than a decade that the electorate has chosen the official.

Republican Mayes Middleton, Democrat Nathan Johnson, and Libertarian Tom Oxford are on the ballot. They are competing for the office previously held by Ken Paxton since 2015. Paxton is leaving the post to run for the U.S. Senate.

Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, described the contest as having high stakes. He noted that the attorney general enforces law, interprets the Texas Constitution, and influences national policy.

The office holds specific powers that affect daily life. The attorney general represents the state and its agencies in lawsuits and defends state laws in court. The role includes enforcing consumer protection laws and investigating fraud.

Administrative duties also fall under this office. The attorney general helps families collect child support and issues legal opinions on state law. While the office can prosecute certain criminal offenses, local district attorneys handle most criminal cases in Texas.

Mayes Middleton represents District 11 in the Texas Senate. His district covers Galveston County and parts of Houston. He previously served in the Texas House and leads the family business Middleton Oil Company. His campaign states he intends to expand the office's authority to prosecute state law violations.

Middleton plans to hold local district attorneys accountable for their performance. He supports aggressive immigration enforcement and deportations. He also aims to work with the Trump administration on border security. His platform includes suing companies for deceptive trade practices and investigating government corruption.

Nathan Johnson represents parts of Dallas County in the Texas Senate. He has held his seat since 2019 and works as an attorney and mediator. Johnson says he will coordinate more closely with local district attorneys to improve public safety.

Johnson supports border security but opposes enforcement tactics he believes violate constitutional rights. He plans to challenge federal actions he views as unlawful or unconstitutional, including those by the current administration. He prioritizes enforcement against price gouging, consumer scams, and unfair business practices. He also promises to investigate public officials accused of corruption regardless of party affiliation.

A University of Houston poll released last month showed Middleton leading by approximately five points. Jones noted that Johnson can still win if Democratic turnout is strong and Republican turnout is low. He stated that the final outcome depends on whether uncommitted Republicans cast their votes by election day.

The winner will lead the office for the next four years. That official will make major legal decisions affecting Texas residents, businesses, and government agencies. These decisions may involve federal immigration policies, consumer protection, and criminal justice enforcement.