After more than a decade under Ken Paxton, Texas voters will choose a new attorney general on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Republican Mayes Middleton, Democrat Nathan Johnson and Libertarian Tom Oxford are running for the statewide office.
The race comes as Paxton leaves the position he has held since 2015 to run for the U.S. Senate.
Rice University political science professor Mark Jones said this is a high stakes race more people should pay attention to.
“hey play a pivotal role not only in enforcing the law here in Texas and interpreting the Texas Constitution, but they also historically have played a major role at the national level,” said Jones.
Middleton and Johnson are both attorneys and current state senators, but they have different visions for how the Attorney General’s Office should operate.
The Texas attorney general serves as the state’s top lawyer, representing Texas and state agencies in lawsuits and defending state laws in court.
The office also enforces consumer protection laws, investigates certain types of fraud, helps families collect child support and issues legal opinions interpreting state law.
While the attorney general has authority to prosecute certain criminal offenses, most criminal cases in Texas are handled by local district attorneys.
Middleton, the Republican candidate, is a state senator representing District 11, which includes Galveston County and parts of the Houston area.
He previously served in the Texas House of Representatives and is president of Middleton Oil Company, a family business.
According to his campaign website, Middleton wants to crack down on crime, hold local district attorneys accountable and expand the attorney general’s authority to prosecute violations of state law.
He also supports aggressive immigration enforcement and deportations, including working with the Trump administration on border security.
On consumer protection, Middleton promises to pursue lawsuits against companies engaging in deceptive trade practices.
He also says he would investigate misuse of taxpayer funds and government corruption.
Johnson, the Democratic candidate, is a state senator representing parts of Dallas County. He has served in the Texas Senate since 2019 and works as an attorney and mediator.
According to his campaign website, Johnson wants to work more closely with local district attorneys to improve public safety.
He supports border security but opposes immigration enforcement tactics he says violate constitutional rights.
Johnson also promises to challenge federal government actions he believes are unlawful or unconstitutional, including actions by the Trump administration.
On consumer protection, Johnson says he would prioritize enforcement against price gouging, consumer scams and unfair business practices.
He also promises to investigate public officials accused of corruption, regardless of their political affiliation.
Johnson has emphasized restoring public trust in the Attorney General’s Office and focusing on its responsibilities to Texas residents.
A University of Houston poll released last month showed Middleton leading the race by about five points.
“It’s not an insurmountable one for Johnson if Democratic turnout is robust and Republican turnout is lackluster,” said Jones. “Right now, we really won’t know until election day if the remaining Republicans who have not yet cast a vote actually turn out to vote.”
The next attorney general will lead an office responsible for major legal decisions affecting Texas residents, businesses and government agencies.
Those decisions could include lawsuits involving federal immigration policies, consumer protection, criminal justice and the enforcement of state laws.
The election will determine who leads the office for the next four years.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
