Nathan Johnson to lead Texas legal office after Paxton leaves for Senate
The Democrat defeated state senator Mayes Middleton in a race determined by the Associated Press on Tuesday.
By Alexei Brooks ·
Nathan Johnson has won the race for Texas attorney general, the Associated Press announced on Tuesday. The victory gives the Democratic state senator control of the state’s chief legal office ahead of his January 2027 inauguration.
Johnson defeated Mayes Middleton, a Republican state senator from Galveston. Middleton had secured the Republican nomination in May after overcoming U.S. Rep. Chip Roy in a primary runoff. Both candidates served in the Texas Senate prior to this election.
The open seat resulted from Ken Paxton’s decision to run for the U.S. Senate. Paxton held the attorney general position for more than a decade before launching his federal campaign. Voters selected a new state legal leader to replace him as his Senate bid moves forward.
The attorney general acts as the state’s primary legal representative. The office defends Texas laws in court, represents the state in civil litigation, and issues formal opinions on matters of state law.
This position often becomes central in legal disputes between Texas and the federal government. It also plays a key part in challenges to state legislation. The incoming official will begin these duties in early 2027.
