In a move that’s shaking up Texas politics, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy has officially thrown his hat into the ring to become the next Texas attorney general, setting off a fierce Republican primary battle to replace the embattled Ken Paxton. Roy, an Austin-area Republican currently in his fourth term in Congress, made his candidacy public on August 21, 2025, with a fiery pledge to defend the Lone Star State from what he described as mounting threats to its sovereignty and way of life.
“Texas is under assault—from open-border, radical leftists, and faceless foreign corporations that threaten our sovereignty, safety, and our way of life,” Roy declared in his campaign announcement on social media. “It’s time to draw a line in the sand.” His words set the tone for what’s expected to be a contentious and closely watched race, as the Texas attorney general’s office remains one of the most powerful legal and political posts in the state.
Roy’s entry adds even more heat to an already crowded Republican field. He’ll be facing state Sens. Joan Huffman of Houston and Mayes Middleton of Galveston, as well as Aaron Reitz, who previously served as a deputy attorney general under Paxton and as chief of staff for Sen. Ted Cruz. On the Democratic side, voters will choose between state Sen. Nathan Johnson of Dallas and Joe Jaworski, the former mayor of Galveston and a previous attorney general contender in 2022.
With Attorney General Ken Paxton pursuing a new political chapter—he’s now running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by John Cornyn—the contest for his replacement is wide open. Paxton, who has held the attorney general’s office since 2015, leaves behind a legacy marked by legal battles and controversy, and his move to seek higher office has only intensified the spotlight on the race to succeed him.
But despite the high stakes, most Texas voters remain undecided about whom they’ll support in the Republican primary. According to a new Texas Southern University poll released the same day as Roy’s announcement, a whopping 73% of respondents said they were unsure of their choice. Among those who have made up their minds, Huffman leads with 12%, followed by Middleton at 8% and Reitz at 7%. Roy’s late entry means his name wasn’t included in the survey, but his high profile in Congress is expected to shake up the dynamics as the campaign gets underway.
Roy is no stranger to controversy or the political spotlight. As a leading policy voice in the House Freedom Caucus, he’s built a reputation as a hard-charging conservative willing to buck party leadership. The Freedom Caucus, known for its uncompromising stance on federal spending and government reform, has often clashed with both Democratic and Republican leaders in Washington. Roy’s independent streak has been on full display in recent years, as he’s openly defied prominent Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and even former President Donald Trump.
Last December, Roy made headlines by publicly opposing President-elect Trump’s call for Republicans to suspend or abolish the federal debt ceiling. Trump, never one to let a slight go unaddressed, fired back on social media and hinted he might support a primary challenger to Roy in his congressional district. Despite these tensions, Roy still voted in favor of Trump’s signature “Big Beautiful Bill” after pushing for more aggressive deficit reduction—a classic example of his willingness to negotiate but ultimately get behind key conservative legislation.
Roy’s relationship with Trump has been a rollercoaster. He was among the minority of Republicans who voted to certify President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory, a move that set him apart from the majority of his party. After the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, Roy didn’t mince words. He said Trump deserved “universal condemnation” for what he called “impeachable conduct.” However, when it came time to vote on the articles of impeachment brought by Democrats, Roy voted against them, citing what he described as technical flaws in the charges.
His independence didn’t stop there. During the 2024 Republican presidential primary, Roy backed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over Trump, further fueling speculation about a rift between the two. Yet, in recent months, Roy has made efforts to reconcile and downplay any lingering tensions with Trump—a pragmatic move, perhaps, given the former president’s enduring influence over Texas Republicans and the potential for Trump’s endorsement to sway the outcome of the attorney general race.
As if all that weren’t enough, Roy’s history with Ken Paxton adds another layer of intrigue. Before his time in Congress, Roy served as a top aide in Paxton’s office. But their relationship soured when Roy publicly called for Paxton to resign “for the good of the people of Texas” after allegations of corruption and bribery surfaced. Notably, Roy’s campaign announcement made no mention of Paxton, focusing instead on Texas’s “long and proud tradition of rising to defend our homes, our freedom, and our communities.” He wrote, “I’m running for attorney general to carry on that legacy—unafraid to fight, unafraid to win, and unafraid to defend Texas at every term.”
Roy’s decision to run for attorney general means he’ll be giving up his seat in the U.S. House, a move that underscores his commitment to the race and his belief in the importance of the office. His campaign is expected to highlight his record as a principled conservative, his willingness to stand up to leaders of both parties, and his dedication to what he sees as the core values of Texas.
The Republican primary is shaping up to be a battle not just of personalities, but of visions for the future of Texas. Huffman and Middleton, both state senators with deep ties to their regions, bring legislative experience and established networks. Reitz, with his background in the attorney general’s office and connection to Sen. Ted Cruz, adds another layer of conservative credibility. On the Democratic side, Johnson and Jaworski are preparing for what could be their best shot at statewide office in years, given the uncertainty and division among GOP voters.
But as the Texas Southern University poll makes clear, the race is still wide open. With most voters undecided, the coming months will be crucial as candidates work to define themselves and connect with Texans across the political spectrum. Trump’s potential involvement looms large, as does the question of whether Roy’s brand of principled defiance will win over primary voters—or cost him support in a party that remains closely aligned with the former president.
For now, the only certainty is that Texas’s next attorney general will inherit a state facing complex challenges—from border security to federal-state relations, and from economic growth to preserving individual freedoms. As the campaign heats up, all eyes will be on the candidates vying to draw their own line in the sand.
