Democrat takes Texas attorney general seat

Democrat Nathan Johnson has won the Texas attorney general race. The Associated Press called the race for Johnson, who defeated Republican Mayes Middleton. This victory ends a multi-year tenure for incumbent Ken Paxton, who left the office to run for the U.S. Senate.

Paxton served as attorney general for more than a decade before deciding to seek a Senate seat in 2026. His departure opened the position for a new election. The role involves acting as the state's chief legal officer. The holder represents Texas in civil litigation, defends state laws, and issues opinions on state legal questions. The office often becomes involved in disputes with the federal government and challenges to state legislation.

Both candidates entered the general election as state senators. Middleton, a Republican, won his party's nomination after defeating U.S. Rep. Chip Roy in the May primary runoff. Johnson, a Democrat, secured his party's nomination in the earlier primary. The general election took place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The winner will take office in January 2027. This transition will mark the first change in leadership for the Texas attorney general's office in over ten years. The new appointee will step into a role that frequently intersects with federal policy and state legislative battles. Johnson's election signals a shift in the state's top legal leadership as Paxton moves to Washington, D.C.

The race concluded with Johnson emerging as the victor. Middleton acknowledged the results following the AP call. The outcome positions Johnson to begin preparing for his duties ahead of his swearing-in ceremony next year. The state will soon see a new face leading the department responsible for enforcing Texas law.