GOP Hopefuls Clash in Texas Attorney General Debate

Four Republican candidates meet for only joint forum before March 3 primary

Feb. 17, 2026 at 8:47am

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Four Republican candidates for Texas attorney general - Joan Huffman, Mayes Middleton, Aaron Reitz, and Rep. Chip Roy - will debate Tuesday night in Dallas in the only joint forum before the March 3 primary. The 90-minute debate, hosted by the Republican Attorneys General Association and moderated by Allie Beth Stuckey, will be livestreamed on KVUE+ as early voting opens in the state.

Why it matters

The race for Texas attorney general is a high-stakes contest, as current AG Ken Paxton is running for U.S. Senate instead of seeking re-election. The debate offers voters a rare side-by-side look at the four GOP contenders vying to succeed Paxton, who has dominated the office for over a decade.

The details

The debate will take place at the historic Granada Theater in Dallas and is open to the public. It is being produced in partnership between the Republican Attorneys General Association and Blaze Media. The 90-minute forum will feature the four Republican candidates making their case to voters ahead of the March 3 primary, when early voting also begins.

  • The debate begins at 7 p.m. Central on Tuesday, February 16, 2026.
  • Early voting for the March 3 primary in Texas starts on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Joan Huffman

One of the four Republican candidates for Texas attorney general.

Mayes Middleton

One of the four Republican candidates for Texas attorney general.

Aaron Reitz

One of the four Republican candidates for Texas attorney general.

Rep. Chip Roy

One of the four Republican candidates for Texas attorney general.

Ken Paxton

The current Texas attorney general who is running for U.S. Senate instead of seeking re-election.

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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

This debate offers a critical opportunity for Texas voters to assess the four Republican candidates vying to succeed the long-serving Attorney General Ken Paxton, as the state prepares for a pivotal primary election with early voting starting the same day as the forum.