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The Republican runoff has shattered spending records and drawn national attention, with both candidates aggressively attacking each other in the final stretch.<\/p>\n
Middleton, who finished first in the March primary, is framing himself as the conservative candidate best positioned to continue the work of outgoing Attorney General Ken Paxton. He told KHOU 11 he believes the race is about protecting Texas and advancing President Donald Trump\u2019s agenda on immigration and border security.<\/p>\n
Middleton branded himself as \u201cMAGA Mayes\u201d and said he is the \u201cTrump candidate\u201d in the race, despite Trump not endorsing either candidate. During a one-on-one interview with KHOU 11, Middleton said his priorities as attorney general would include targeting cartels, fighting what he calls waste and fraud in government and continuing the legal battles against Democrats and progressive policies. \u201c<\/p>\n
The race has become one of the most expensive attorney general primaries in U.S. history, with Middleton spending more than $11 million of his own money on the campaign. Roy and other critics have questioned Middleton\u2019s legal experience, arguing he has not practiced law extensively, but Middleton defended his conservative credentials and attacked Roy\u2019s record and relationship with Trump. Middleton also repeated false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, despite courts and election reviews finding no evidence of widespread fraud that changed the outcome.<\/p>\n
Roy, a four-term congressman, says his legal background makes him the better choice to lead the office. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Roy has centered his campaign on experience, criticizing Middleton\u2019s legal background and arguing that Texas needs an attorney general who has worked in courtrooms and understands the legal system. Roy previously worked in the Texas Attorney General\u2019s Office and said he would focus on border security, immigration enforcement and continuing many of the policies championed by outgoing Attorney General Ken Paxton.<\/p>\n
Roy also pushed back on attacks from Middleton, questioning his relationship with President Donald Trump, saying his record in Congress aligns closely with Trump\u2019s priorities. Roy accused Middleton of being too tied to Austin politics and said the attorney general\u2019s office should focus on serving Texans, not political insiders<\/p>\n
The winner of Tuesday\u2019s Republican runoff will advance to the November election to face the winner of the Democratic runoff between the winner of the Johnson-Jaworski runoff on the Democratic side.<\/p>\n