Texas politics is never short on drama, and this week the Lone Star State got a fresh jolt: U.S. Congressman Chip Roy, a prominent and often combative Republican voice in Washington, announced his bid for Texas attorney general. The move comes as a surprise to many political watchers, not least because Roy has become a fixture in the nation’s capital, known for his fierce independence, his willingness to challenge party leadership—including former President Donald Trump—and his high-profile role in the House Freedom Caucus.
Roy’s announcement, made on August 21, 2025, sets the stage for a heated Republican primary in March 2026 and a general election showdown in November. The attorney general seat is opening up as incumbent Ken Paxton, himself no stranger to controversy, leaves to pursue a U.S. Senate run against John Cornyn. That’s a heavyweight contest in its own right, but Roy’s entry into the AG race has already sparked intense reactions from both parties and upended the calculus for Texas’s top law enforcement job.
In a campaign video posted to social media, Roy declared, “Texas has a long and proud tradition of rising to defend our homes, our freedom, and our communities. I’m running for Attorney General to carry on that legacy… unafraid to fight, unafraid to win, and unafraid to defend Texas at every turn.” He doubled down on this message, warning that “the Texas of our dreams, our families and our forefathers is under assault,” attributing the threats to “radical Democrats and George Soros,” “open border politicians,” “faceless corporations,” and “the Chinese Communist Party.” The rhetoric left no doubt that Roy intends to position himself as a defender of Texas sovereignty and conservative values.
Roy, 53, is no political novice. He’s served as the representative for Texas’ 21st Congressional District since 2019, a deeply conservative area west of Austin and San Antonio. Before his election to Congress, he was a federal prosecutor and First Assistant Attorney General under Ken Paxton. That experience, he argues, makes him uniquely qualified to take over the office. “I want to take my experience in Congress, as a federal prosecutor, and as First Assistant Attorney General to fight for Texas from Texas,” Roy stated in his announcement, according to Fox News.
But the timing of Roy’s run has raised eyebrows. Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser admitted, “I’m a little bit surprised by it because Chip is just such a passionate fighter in Congress.” Political science professor Brian Smith of St. Edward’s University pointed to Roy’s name recognition as a powerful asset in the primary, noting, “Roy has that name recognition, and that goes a long way, especially in a primary.” Smith also observed that new redistricting maps—recently approved after a bruising partisan battle—may have played a role in Roy’s decision, as changes in district lines could affect both voter support and fundraising networks. “That means you can’t count on the old people to vote for you or get money from you,” Smith said.
The Republican field for attorney general is already crowded. State Senators Joan Huffman, Mayes Middleton, and Aaron Reitz have all declared their candidacies, setting up a contest that promises to be both expensive and bruising. Yet Roy’s entry immediately makes him a frontrunner, thanks to his statewide profile and reputation as a conservative firebrand. “Being in the House of Representatives is a very, very important position in the sense that here in Texas, you’re one of, you know, 30-some people,” Smith added, emphasizing the weight Roy’s congressional experience brings to the race.
Roy’s relationship with Trump is a study in contrasts. As policy chair of the House Freedom Caucus, he has been a central player in negotiations over major legislation, including Trump’s tax bill in 2025. He has also been a frequent critic of both Trump and Republican leadership, refusing to join efforts to overturn the 2020 election and later blasting Trump for what he called “clearly impeachable conduct.” In 2021, Roy voted to certify President Joe Biden’s election victory, acknowledging at the time, “That vote may well sign my political death warrant, but so be it.” Trump has not forgotten these slights, disparaging Roy as a “RINO” and calling for him to face a primary challenge. Despite these tensions, Roy has at times tried to align with Trump, touting his work to help the former president “secure the border and deliver results.”
Roy’s campaign is also colored by recent events in Texas. He cited the devastating Hill Country floods on July 4, 2025, which killed more than 130 people, as a turning point. “My experience watching Texans unite in response to the devastating Hill Country floods made clear that I want to come home,” he said, according to NBC DFW. The disaster, which left entire communities reeling, seems to have rekindled Roy’s desire to serve the state directly rather than from Washington.
Democrats, meanwhile, see an opportunity. Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder responded to Roy’s announcement by vowing to “compete in every corner of this state and build a grassroots movement of working-class people to take this government back from the billionaire class.” Professor Smith suggested that Roy’s candidacy could energize local Democrats, who might see the open seat as their best shot in years. “Every Democrat who lives in that area is going to take a look and say, is this my opportunity?” he remarked. Still, Republicans remain confident that the newly redrawn district lines will favor their party in the upcoming elections.
National political dynamics are also in play. Some polls indicate that the president’s popularity is slipping, which could be a factor in Roy’s decision to leave Congress and seek statewide office. Smith pointed out, “There’s actually no guarantee that the Republicans are going to keep the House next year.” For Roy, the attorney general position could serve as a “great jumping off point for higher statewide political office.”
Roy’s candidacy comes amid a broader trend of conservative firebrands seeking statewide office. Former Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Biggs is running for governor in Arizona, while Rep. Ralph Norman and Rep. Nancy Mace are eyeing gubernatorial bids in South Carolina. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, another high-profile agitator, resigned from Congress last year and is considering a run for governor in Florida. For House Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP leaders, Roy’s departure may be a mixed blessing; his frequent opposition to leadership priorities often made him a thorn in their side.
As the campaign heats up, one thing is clear: Chip Roy’s bid for Texas attorney general is set to reshape the state’s political landscape. Whether his brand of confrontational conservatism will carry him to victory—or galvanize his opponents—remains to be seen. But in a state where political fortunes can shift as quickly as a Texas thunderstorm, all eyes will be on Roy and his rivals as the 2026 election approaches.
