Mayes Middleton Defeats Chip Roy In Texas GOP Attorney General Runoff
Rep. Mayes Middleton was projected the winner of the Republican runoff for Texas attorney general on May 26, 2026, defeating Rep. Chip Roy and securing the GOP nomination to face Democrat Nathan Johnson in November.[1]
Middleton branded himself "MAGA Mayes" and centered his runoff messaging on Roy's past breaks with Donald Trump, including Roy's comment that Trump committed "impeachable conduct" over Jan. 6.[2]
In the March 3 primary, Middleton received 39 percent and Roy 32 percent, leaving neither above 50 percent and forcing the runoff.[1] Trump did not formally endorse either candidate.[2] Chris LaCivita, Trump's 2024 campaign manager, posted a May 21 video saying "Dude's next," which the New York Times said signaled efforts by Trump allies to unseat his critics.[2]
After the projection, Democratic nominee Nathan Johnson called Middleton "a mega-millionaire heir" and accused him of planning to politicize and misuse the attorney general's office.[2] Middleton told CBS News that Roy "did so badly" because his record of "fighting President Trump" caught up to him and he compared Roy to Liz Cheney.[3]
Show source details & analysis (4 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- Texas Rep. Mayes Middleton has been projected the winner of the May 26, 2026 Republican runoff for Texas attorney general, defeating Rep. Chip Roy (Mayes Middleton).
- In the March 3, 2026 primary that produced the runoff, Middleton received 39% and Roy 32% of the vote, with neither candidate surpassing 50% (March 3, 2026 primary).
- Middleton ran a campaign that branded him as “MAGA Mayes” and emphasized Roy’s past breaks with Donald Trump, including Roy’s statement that Trump committed “impeachable conduct” over Jan. 6, 2021 (MAGA Mayes).
- Although Trump did not formally endorse either candidate, Trump’s 2024 campaign manager Chris LaCivita posted a May 21, 2026 video saying “Dude’s next,” which the New York Times described as signaling efforts by Trump allies to unseat his critics (Chris LaCivita).
- The contest was widely reported as underscoring Trump’s influence with conservative voters in Texas despite his lack of a formal endorsement (Trump's influence).
- Middleton will face Democratic state Sen. and litigator Nathan Johnson in the November 6, 2026 general election to succeed outgoing Attorney General Ken Paxton (Nathan Johnson).
- Democratic nominee Nathan Johnson on May 26, 2026 called Middleton “a mega‑millionaire heir” and accused him of planning to politicize and misuse the attorney general’s office (Nathan Johnson).
- Middleton told CBS News that Roy “did so badly” because his record of “fighting President Trump” caught up to him, explicitly tying Roy to comments that Trump should be impeached and praising Liz Cheney, a comparison Middleton used against Roy (Middleton).
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- CBS projects that Texas Republicans have selected state Sen. Mayes Middleton as their attorney general nominee in the May 26, 2026 GOP runoff, defeating Rep. Chip Roy.
- The article reiterates that in the March 3, 2026 primary Middleton received 39% of the vote and Roy 32%, forcing the runoff because neither candidate cleared 50%.
- Middleton told CBS News Texas that Roy 'did so badly on Election Day' because his record of 'fighting President Trump' caught up to him, explicitly tying Roy to comments that Trump should be impeached and that Liz Cheney should be commended.
- CBS News Texas projects that Texas Rep. Mayes Middleton has won the May 26, 2026 Republican runoff for attorney general over Rep. Chip Roy.
- The article notes the March 3, 2026 primary results that led to the runoff: Middleton received 39% and Roy 32%, with neither surpassing 50%.
- Middleton reiterates his criticism that Roy 'did so badly' because 'his record of fighting President Trump caught up to him' and compares Roy to Liz Cheney, saying he 'spent a career fighting against the MAGA agenda.'
- The piece confirms again that Middleton will face Democratic State Sen. Nathan Johnson in the November 6, 2026 general election to succeed outgoing Attorney General Ken Paxton.
- The New York Times reports that Middleton branded himself 'MAGA Mayes' and focused his campaign messaging on Roy's past breaks with Donald Trump, including Roy's statement that Trump committed 'impeachable conduct' related to Jan. 6, 2021.
- The article notes that Trump did not endorse either candidate, but his 2024 campaign manager Chris LaCivita posted a video about Roy on Thursday, May 21, 2026, saying 'Dude's next,' described as signaling Trump allies' efforts to unseat his critics.
- The piece emphasizes that the race underscored Trump's influence with conservative voters despite his lack of a formal endorsement.
- The story adds a detailed description of Democratic nominee Nathan Johnson's reaction on May 26, 2026, calling Middleton 'a mega-millionaire heir' and alleging he would politicize and misuse the attorney general's office.
- The article reiterates that Middleton will face Nathan Johnson, a state senator and litigator, in the November 2026 general election and briefly outlines the attorney general's responsibilities in Texas.