Mayes Middleton Defeats Chip Roy In Texas GOP Attorney General Runoff
Rep. Mayes Middleton won the May 26, 2026 Republican runoff for Texas attorney general, defeating Rep. Chip Roy and securing the GOP nomination to face Democrat Nathan Johnson in November.[1]
Middleton ran an aggressive, pro-Trump campaign that embraced the "MAGA Mayes" label and attacked Roy for past breaks with former President Donald Trump.[2] Roy had publicly said Trump committed "impeachable conduct" related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.[2] After the runoff Middleton said Roy "did so badly" because his record of fighting President Trump caught up to him, and he compared Roy to Liz Cheney.[1]
In the March 3, 2026 primary Middleton received 39% and Roy 32%, forcing the runoff because neither topped 50%.[1] Trump did not formally endorse either candidate, though his 2024 campaign manager, Chris LaCivita, posted a May 21 video saying "Dude's next" and signaling efforts by Trump allies to unseat critics.[2] Democratic nominee State Sen. Nathan Johnson called Middleton "a mega-millionaire heir" and warned he would politicize and misuse the attorney general's office.[2]
Coverage of the runoff underscored how much Trump's influence still shapes conservative primary voters in Texas, even without a formal endorsement.[2]
Show source details & analysis (3 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- Rep. Mayes Middleton has won the May 26, 2026 Republican runoff for Texas attorney general over Rep. Chip Roy, as projected by Mayes Middleton.
- In the March 3, 2026 primary that forced the runoff, Middleton received 39% and Roy 32%, with neither candidate surpassing 50% in the first round (March 3, 2026 primary).
- Middleton ran on a pro‑Trump message, branding himself 'MAGA Mayes' and focusing attacks on Roy’s past breaks with Donald Trump, including Roy’s statement that Trump committed 'impeachable conduct' related to Jan. 6, 2021 ('MAGA Mayes').
- The New York Times reports that Trump did not formally endorse either candidate, though his 2024 campaign manager Chris LaCivita posted a May 21, 2026 video saying 'Dude’s next,' framed as signaling efforts by Trump allies to unseat his critics (Chris LaCivita).
- Coverage underscored that the race highlighted Trump's influence with conservative voters in Texas despite the absence of a formal endorsement ('Trump's influence').
- Democratic nominee State Sen. Nathan Johnson on May 26, 2026 called Middleton 'a mega‑millionaire heir' and warned that Middleton would politicize and misuse the attorney general’s office (Nathan Johnson).
- Middleton will face Democratic State Sen. Nathan Johnson in the November 6, 2026 general election to succeed outgoing Attorney General Ken Paxton (November 6, 2026 general election).
- After the runoff, Middleton argued Roy 'did so badly' because 'his record of fighting President Trump caught up to him,' even comparing Roy to Liz Cheney in criticizing his opposition to the MAGA agenda (Liz Cheney).
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- 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.