Texas Republicans Target Sharia Law as Threat in 2026 Primaries

Congressman Chip Roy and other GOP candidates raise concerns about Sharia Law's impact on Texas

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Texas Republican leaders, including Congressman Chip Roy, are making Sharia Law a key issue in their 2026 primary campaigns, claiming it poses a threat to the state's legal system and Constitution. Roy and others in the 'Sharia-Free American Caucus' have held hearings and press conferences warning about alleged 'no-go zones' for women in Texas cities, though local officials deny these claims. Political analysts say the anti-Sharia messaging is aimed at energizing the GOP primary base, even if it may not resonate as strongly in the general election.

Why it matters

The increased focus on Sharia Law by Texas Republicans reflects growing concerns among some conservatives about the influence of Islam in the U.S. However, Muslim advocacy groups argue these attacks misrepresent Sharia and fan the flames of anti-Muslim sentiment. The issue could mobilize the Republican base in the primaries, but may not play as well in the general election.

The details

In a congressional hearing, Congressman Chip Roy, R-Texas, claimed there is a 'growing movement to overthrow the county's legal system and its Constitution' that is 'most prevalent in Texas.' Roy and other GOP candidates, including those running for U.S. Senate, Governor, and state legislature, have attacked Sharia Law, describing it as incompatible with American laws and values. They have also alleged the existence of 'no-go zones' for women in Texas cities, though local officials have denied these claims.

  • On February 11, 2026, Congressman Chip Roy held a congressional hearing on Sharia Law.
  • Just a week prior to the subcommittee hearing, Roy and other members of the 'Sharia-Free American Caucus' held a news conference to talk about alleged efforts to impose Sharia Law in Texas.

The players

Congressman Chip Roy

A Republican Congressman from Texas who is the chairman of the congressional committee holding a hearing on Sharia Law.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

A Muslim advocacy group that sent a letter to Congressman Roy's subcommittee arguing that Sharia Law is being misrepresented and does not seek to replace American law.

Governor Greg Abbott

The Republican Governor of Texas who has designated CAIR as a terrorist organization.

Ken Paxton

The Republican Texas Attorney General who is running for U.S. Senate and is suing CAIR to prevent the organization from owning property and recruiting members in the state.

Mark Jones

A political scientist at Rice University who analyzed the political motivations behind the Republican candidates' focus on Sharia Law.

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What they’re saying

“If Texas falls, so does the nation.”

— Congressman Chip Roy (kxan.com)

“Sharia is not a codified legal system seeking to replace American law. It is a broad ethical and moral framework derived from Islamic religious teachings that guides personal conscience and religious practice, including values such as honesty, charity, responsibility to family, care for neighbors, and concern for justice.”

— Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) (kxan.com)

“This is not about having the freedom of worshipping a religion of one's choosing, such as Islam, but forcing a foreign legal code that is incompatible with our laws and legal system.”

— Congressman Chip Roy (kxan.com)

“We're not going to be cowed by groups coming in and trying to make places where there are no-go zones for our women in the state of Texas. Those are occurring right now in Arlington, in Plano, in places that are strongholds and bastions of our values as Texans and as Americans.”

— Congressman Chip Roy (kxan.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The increased focus on Sharia Law by Texas Republicans reflects growing concerns among some conservatives about the influence of Islam, but Muslim advocacy groups argue these attacks misrepresent Sharia and fan the flames of anti-Muslim sentiment. The issue could mobilize the Republican base in the primaries, but may not play as well in the general election.