The big picture
After three terms as Texas' top lawyer, incumbent Ken Paxton is running for the U.S. Senate, leaving his office open. Anthony “Tony” Box, Joe Jaworski and Nathan Johnson are vying for the Democratic nomination to succeed Paxton as attorney general.
The winning Democratic candidate will face the winner of the Republican nomination in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.
Preparing for the polls
Early voting begins Feb. 17 for March 3 primary races across Texas, including 18 statewide races and various local races. Registered voters may cast ballots in either Texas’ Republican or Democratic primary, but not both. Third-party candidates will appear on the ballot in November.
For more coverage of state and local races, visit communityimpact.com/election.
What you need to know
Community Impact gave all candidates running for contested statewide offices more than three weeks to complete the primary election questionnaire and communicated with their campaigns periodically. Community Impact's goal with election Q&As is to provide a side-by-side, equitable resource for Texas voters to review candidates' perspectives as they prepare to head to the polls.
To ensure that candidates are the ones defining their positions in Community Impact's voter guide, if candidates did not complete the questionnaire after multiple attempts to contact them, the website reads "candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time." Candidates were informed of this policy.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been minimally edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Anthony “Tony” Box
Occupation & Experience:
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Candidate Website:
https://tonyboxfortexas.com/
Contact Information:
[email protected]
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What would you like to see the Office of the Attorney General do in collaboration with local law enforcement and local government attorneys?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What priorities would you focus on when it comes to the OAG’s goal of promoting transparency and public access to government?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
How would you decide which litigation to pursue on behalf of the state?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next five years?
Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.
Joe Jaworski
Occupation & Experience:
Thirty-five years as a full-time Texas trial and appellate lawyer and mediator. Former mayor of Galveston.
Candidate Website:
https://www.jaworskifortexas.com/
Contact Information:
[email protected]
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Affordability: Use laws and the power of government to help young adult Texans afford the American Dream. Encourage voting: Register to vote every high school senior. Prosecute the corrupt: Investigate, expose and prosecute corruption in government, limit politicians’ campaign contributions, and establish term limits for all elected officials.
What would you like to see the Office of the Attorney General do in collaboration with local law enforcement and local government attorneys?
I’d respect local officials’ duties, and let them lead. Also, I’d partner with local District Attorneys to prosecute corruption in state political office. Additionally, I’d join county attorneys to sue polluters. Finally, I’d work with School Boards to end vouchers and force the legislature to suitably provide for public education.
What priorities would you focus on when it comes to the OAG’s goal of promoting transparency and public access to government?
As former mayor of Galveston who championed transparent, open government, and as a skilled attorney in Open Records/Open Meetings Act matters, I would lead the OAG to demand open and transparent government at all levels. I will not help state or local government hide their records.
How would you decide which litigation to pursue on behalf of the state?
I’ll pursue litigation if it helps make people’s lives more affordable or if it protects the civil rights of the 32 million Texans I represent. I will not sue to score political points in my primary re-election contest. That waste of resources, that disrespect of the people’s government ends now.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next five years?
Reversing the privatization of public education, saving our natural resources (water, land) from for profit exploitation, and limiting the power of billionaires who exert influence over the people’s government. Republican one party control for three decades brought us here. Voters should elect Democrats in 2026 to restore balance.
Nathan Johnson
Occupation & Experience:
Texas State Senator, 8 years; attorney
Candidate Website:
https://nathanfortexas.com/
Contact Information:
[email protected]
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Rebuild the Attorney General’s Office with top talent; consumer protection against predatory practices like fraud and AI scams; enforce anti-monopoly laws to counter and market consolidation; making government work by defending rights, enforcing laws, partnering with district attorneys to improve public safety.
What would you like to see the Office of the Attorney General do in collaboration with local law enforcement and local government attorneys?
Foster cooperation, provide resources and expertise, and advise on developments in the law. I’ll partner with communities, local governments, law enforcement, DA’s and civil rights groups to ensure that we improve public safety and the justice system.
What priorities would you focus on when it comes to the OAG’s goal of promoting transparency and public access to government?
I will apply the law consistently and without bias, articulate clearer standards for how cases are evaluated, and work within the bounds of the law to ensure public access to public information. As a state senator, I have filed several bills (and passed one of them) aimed at making government ...
How would you decide which litigation to pursue on behalf of the state?
Does the action harm Texans? Does it violate the law? Can I prove it?
What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next five years?
The failure to recognize the need to build social, physical, and governmental infrastructure that confront the change that’s coming at us hard and fast. With frail and fragile systems, any change can have devastating consequences—economic and social.
