Texas Elects New Attorney General After Paxton Era

Texas voters select a new attorney general on Tuesday, November 3, ending an eleven-year tenure under Ken Paxton. The incumbent leaves the statewide office to seek a seat in the U.S. Senate. This election marks the first time Texas has chosen a new top lawyer since Paxton took office in 2015. The race pits Republican Mayes Middleton against Democrat Nathan Johnson, with Libertarian Tom Oxford also on the ballot.

A University of Houston poll released in October shows Middleton holding a five-point lead over Johnson. Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, noted that the margin allows for a competitive outcome depending on voter participation. He stated that the race is not insurmountable for Johnson if Democratic turnout remains high while Republican turnout lags. Jones added that the final result depends on whether remaining Republicans who have not yet voted cast their ballots.

Middleton represents Texas Senate District 11, a district that covers Galveston County and parts of the Houston area. He previously served in the Texas House of Representatives. He is also the president of Middleton Oil Company, a family business. His campaign platform focuses on expanding the attorney general's authority to prosecute violations of state law. He intends to hold local district attorneys accountable and crack down on crime. Middleton supports aggressive immigration enforcement and cooperation with the Trump administration on border security.

Middleton also pledges to pursue lawsuits against companies engaging in deceptive trade practices. He plans to investigate the misuse of taxpayer funds and government corruption. His approach emphasizes using the office to defend state laws and enforce consumer protection standards. He views the attorney general's role as central to national legal battles.

Nathan Johnson represents parts of Dallas County in the Texas Senate. He has served in that chamber since 2019. He works as an attorney and mediator. Johnson’s campaign emphasizes closer cooperation with local district attorneys to improve public safety. He supports border security but opposes immigration enforcement tactics he believes violate constitutional rights. He plans to challenge federal actions he considers unlawful or unconstitutional, including moves by the Trump administration.

Johnson prioritizes consumer protection enforcement against price gouging and consumer scams. He promises to investigate public officials accused of corruption regardless of their political party. His focus is on restoring public trust in the office. He emphasizes the office's responsibilities to Texas residents and businesses. His platform contrasts with Middleton's by focusing on collaboration with local law enforcement rather than expanding state authority.

The Texas attorney general serves as the state's top lawyer. The office represents Texas and state agencies in lawsuits and defends state laws in court. It enforces consumer protection laws and investigates specific types of fraud. The office helps families collect child support and issues legal opinions on state law. While the attorney general can prosecute certain criminal offenses, local district attorneys handle most criminal cases.

Jones described the position as playing a major role at the national level. He noted the office enforces the law in Texas and interprets the Texas Constitution. The next four years will determine which vision for the office leads its operations. The winner will direct major legal decisions affecting residents, businesses, and government agencies. These decisions will cover federal immigration policies, consumer protection, and criminal justice matters. The election determines who holds this power for the next term.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Voters choose between the two state senators and the Libertarian candidate. The outcome will replace Paxton, who has held the position since 2015. The office remains the central legal authority for the state. The results will set the direction for state law enforcement and legal defense for the next four years. The race concludes the Paxton era in Texas politics.