Reitz with Commanding Lead in Texas AG Race

The 2026 race for Texas Attorney General is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched down-ballot contests in the state — and it’s happening without its most high-profile figure. Incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton announced earlier this year that he will not seek reelection, instead setting his sights on unseating U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primaries.

Aaron Reitz

With Paxton out of the picture, the GOP field for the state’s top legal post is beginning to take shape. Three Republicans have already declared their candidacies: Aaron Reitz, a former Deputy Attorney General; State Senator Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston); and State Senator Joan Huffman (R–Houston).

A new poll conducted by Shilo Platts, host of the online political show Texas Talkin’, offers an early glimpse at how Republican voters might line up if the primary were held today. According to the survey, 57% of Republicans said they would back Reitz, while 38% favored Middleton. Huffman trailed far behind with just 3% support. The poll, conducted via Platts’ Facebook page, has a margin of error of ±7 percentage points.

Reitz’s strong showing could be attributed in part to his close alignment with Paxton’s hardline conservative approach during his tenure in the Attorney General’s office. Middleton, meanwhile, has built a reputation in the Texas Senate as a staunch fiscal and social conservative with deep ties to grassroots activists. Huffman, a veteran legislator and former prosecutor, has yet to gain much traction among primary voters.

While the Republican primary is still many months away, the early numbers suggest Reitz has a commanding lead. However, the large margin of error and the informal nature of the Facebook-based poll mean that the race could tighten once campaigns ramp up their advertising, endorsements, and statewide events.

Democrats have not yet coalesced around a single candidate, though several names are rumored to be considering a run. Whoever wins the Republican primary will enter the general election as a heavy favorite, given the GOP’s longstanding dominance in statewide Texas races.