Updated 9:45 p.m. May 26
In a battle of state senators, Sens. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, and Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, are poised to appear on the Texas attorney general ballot this November.
Unofficial election results show Middleton beating U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, in the Republican runoff May 26. Johnson defeated former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski in the Democratic runoff, data from the secretary of state indicates.
With incumbent Ken Paxton seeking federal office, four Republicans and three Democrats jumped into the race for state attorney general during the March primaries. No candidate won a majority of the vote in either race, with the top two finishers advancing to the May 26 runoff election.
With 244 of Texas’ 254 counties reporting some election results May 26, here are the winners in each attorney general race:
- Republican runoff: Middleton received 55.8% of the vote to Roy’s 44.2%
- Democratic runoff: Johnson secured 59.14% of the vote, while Jaworski received 40.86%
Middleton and Johnson will face off Nov. 3 in the race to succeed Paxton.
Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide to see results from all local and state runoffs in Community Impact’s coverage areas.
What they’re saying
Roy conceded the Republican runoff on social media May 26, noting that he would have more to say the following day.
“Just a little while ago, I called and congratulated [Middleton] for his victory in our race for the Republican nominee for Attorney General,” Roy wrote on X. “I will have a full statement tomorrow. Onward.”
Middleton’s campaign had not issued a statement or responded to a request for comment before press time May 26.
Johnson, the Democratic nominee, criticized Middleton and highlighted his own legislative record in a May 26 statement.
“I’m running for AG to reverse the corrosive tide of public sector and private sector corruption, to enforce market rules so competition brings prices down, and to defend our constitutional foundations and preserve the rule of law,” Johnson said. “If mega-millionaire heir Mayes Middleton has proven anything, it’s that he would continue the tradition of corrupting the Attorney General’s office.”
Jaworski thanked his supporters, family and campaign team in a statement posted to X.
“While we did not get the result we hoped for tonight, I will always be grateful for everyone who believed in this campaign and helped build this movement together,” Jaworski said in his May 26 statement. “The work continues. And so does the fight for Texas.”
Johnson and Jaworski did not mention each other by name in their statements.
Did you know?
Middleton’s state Senate term ends ahead of the 2027 state legislative session—meaning that he cannot return to the Legislature if he does not win the attorney general race in November. Johnson would remain a state senator through early 2029 if he does not win the general election. Under Texas law, if a state lawmaker resigns or is elected to a different public office during their term, the governor can call a special election to replace them.
Republicans currently hold all statewide offices on the ballot, and no Democrat or third-party candidate has won a statewide office in Texas since 1994, election records show.
Posted 7:47 p.m. May 26
For the first time in more than a decade, there is no incumbent in the Texas attorney general's race as Ken Paxton runs for the U.S. Senate. Candidates on both sides of the aisle competed in runoff elections May 26 after no candidate received a majority of the vote in the March primary.
The background
On the right, state Sen. Mayes Middleton of Galveston and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy of Austin fought for the Republican nomination for the seat. Read a Q&A with the Republican candidates here.
On the left, state Sen. Nathan Johnson of Dallas and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski vied for the Democratic nomination. Read a Q&A with the Democratic candidates here.
The winners of each overtime contest will advance to the Nov. 3 midterm election.
Whoever is elected attorney general in November will shape the future of the office, serving as Texas’ top lawyer and law enforcement officer. The attorney general defends the state in court, files consumer protection lawsuits and issues opinions interpreting state law. The agency also enforces Texas child support laws, investigates human trafficking cases and manages access to public records.
What’s happening
As of press time, early voting results showed Middleton with an initial lead over Roy in the Republican runoff, while Democrat Johnson led Jaworski.
Middleton had 58.39% of the early vote to Roy’s 41.61% in the Republican contest, according to data from the secretary of state’s office. Meanwhile, Johnson had 61.43% of the early vote, and Jaworski had 38.57%.
What’s next
Community Impact will update this article as election day vote totals are released. All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide to see results from all local and state runoffs in your community.
