Texas GOP Attorney General Candidates Face Off in Dallas Debate

Four Republican candidates vying to succeed Ken Paxton as Texas Attorney General make their case to voters ahead of the March 3 primary.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Texas Attorney General Republican Primary Debate welcomed the four GOP candidates - U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, former DOJ official Aaron Reitz, State Sen. Joan Huffman, and State Sen. Mayes Middleton - to the stage in Dallas, where the politicians faced off on Tuesday night. The live debate was hosted by the Republican Attorneys General Association as the candidates made their cases to voters ahead of the March 3 primary election.

Why it matters

With current Attorney General Ken Paxton stepping aside to run for U.S. Senate, the race for the top legal office in Texas is wide open. The four Republican candidates are vying to succeed Paxton, who has held the position for the last 12 years, making this an important election that will shape the future direction of the state's legal and policy agenda.

The details

The debate was moderated by author and podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey. Congressman Chip Roy is considered the front-runner, known for his outspoken conservative positions. State Sen. Joan Huffman, the only woman in the race, emphasizes her "rule follower" reputation and promises to restore law and order. State Sen. Mayes Middleton has invested heavily in campaign advertising, running on conservative values. Former DOJ official Aaron Reitz has Paxton's endorsement but is lagging in the polls.

  • Early voting began on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Primary Election Day is March 3, 2026.

The players

Chip Roy

U.S. Congressman from Austin, considered the front-runner in the race.

Joan Huffman

State Senator from Houston, the only woman in the race, emphasizes her "rule follower" reputation.

Mayes Middleton

State Senator from Galveston, president and CEO of Middleton Oil, has invested heavily in campaign advertising.

Aaron Reitz

Former DOJ official, has Ken Paxton's endorsement but is lagging in the polls.

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What they’re saying

“My only loyalty is to the Constitution.”

— Chip Roy, U.S. Congressman (fox7austin.com)

“I promise to restore law and order to the attorney general's office.”

— Joan Huffman, State Senator (fox7austin.com)

What’s next

Primary Election Day is March 3, 2026, where voters will choose the Republican nominee for Texas Attorney General.

The takeaway

This race to succeed Ken Paxton as Texas Attorney General is an important one, as the four Republican candidates vie to shape the future legal and policy agenda of the state. The debate highlighted the candidates' differing approaches and priorities, setting the stage for a competitive primary election.