Chip Roy announces run to replace Ken Paxton as Texas attorney general
Chip Roy, a Republican Congressman from Texas and member of the House Freedom Caucus, announced his candidacy to replace ken Paxton as Texas Attorney General. Paxton is running for the U.S. Senate in 2026 after serving as attorney general since 2014.Roy, who has served four terms in Congress and previously worked as Paxton’s first assistant attorney general and chief of staff to senator Ted Cruz, stated his motivation to return to Texas following recent central Texas floods and his desire to combat challenges he sees facing the state. These include opposition to what he calls “open-border politicians,” “radical leftists,” and foreign corporations, and his vow to fight against policies he attributes to figures like George Soros, such as judges releasing criminals and mandates requiring Texas to pay for undocumented immigrants’ schooling.
Roy is entering a competitive Republican primary field, which includes Texas Senators Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman, as well as former Justice Department official Aaron Reitz. Despite previous professional ties, Roy became a vocal critic of Paxton during the latter’s legal troubles and impeachment trial, which resulted in his acquittal and return to office.
Roy emphasized his commitment to defending Texas’s sovereignty, rights, and traditional values and framed his campaign as a continuation of Texas’s legacy of protecting freedom and fighting for its communities.
Chip Roy announces run to replace Ken Paxton as Texas attorney general
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) announced his run on Thursday to replace Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the Senate next year.
Reports surfaced earlier this month that Roy was considering a bid for the statewide office. A vocal member of the House Freedom Caucus and a staunch fiscal hawk, the congressman has served four terms. Now, he wants to switch it up.
In his inaugural campaign statement, Roy said even though he could serve in the House “forever and be fulfilled professionally,” all congressmen shouldn’t serve permanently. He noted that last month’s devastating floods in central Texas made him “want to come home” and serve his state.
“Texas is under assault — from open-border politicians, radical leftists and faceless foreign corporations that threaten our sovereignty, safety and our way of life,” he said. “It’s time to draw a line in the sand. As Attorney General, I will fight every single day for our God-given rights, for our families and for the future of Texas.”
“No more Soros-funded judges and [district attorneys] putting criminals on our streets,” he added. “No more judge-made mandates that Texas pay for illegals in our public schools. No more communities built on Sharia law.”
Before his election to Congress in 2018, Roy served as chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and as Texas’s first assistant attorney general under Paxton, among other positions for elected Texas officials.
While he previously worked for Paxton, Roy later became one of his most outspoken foes and called for his resignation after the Republican attorney general faced allegations of bribery, abuse of office, and other charges that formed the basis of his impeachment trial. The Texas Senate ultimately acquitted Paxton and reinstated him as attorney general in 2023.
Paxton has been in office since 2014, making the 2026 election cycle the first time in over 10 years in which the post will be highly contested.
Roy is going up against a crowded field of GOP challengers that includes Texas Sens. Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman in addition to former Justice Department Assistant Attorney General Aaron Reitz.
Meanwhile, Paxton is seeking to replace Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) next year. The attorney general recently criticized the incumbent senator for leaning into President Donald Trump’s MAGA base as part of a disingenuous makeover to appeal to more conservative voters.
CHIP ROY EYES TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL RUN AS PAXTON CHALLENGES CORNYN
Although Roy has frequently criticized Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) over federal spending, the Texas Republican said he helped “deliver on President Trump’s agenda and fight to drain the swamp.” If he wins the 2026 attorney general race, Roy will be set to return to the Lone Star State.
“Texas has a long and proud tradition of rising to defend our homes, our freedom, and our communities,” he concluded. “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.”
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