Republican state Sen. Mayes Middleton is running for Texas attorney general in the Nov. 3 general election. He is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.

Middleton represents Senate District 11 in the Texas Senate. He faces Democratic candidate Nathan Johnson and Libertarian Tom Oxford in the statewide race. Denton County voters will see the contest on their ballot.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Office sought: Texas Attorney General
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Education: Juris doctor, University of Texas; bachelor's degree in Plan II Honors, University of Texas
  • Law license: Licensed to practice law since 2008, according to his campaign website
  • Personal: Middleton describes himself as a seventh-generation Texan. He said he has rejected the state pension and healthcare and donates his entire state salary to local charities, according to his campaign website.

Experience and public service

Middleton has served in the Texas Senate since 2023. He represented District 23 in the Texas House from 2019 through 2022 and chaired the Texas House Freedom Caucus during his final House term, according to his official Senate biography.

His private-sector background includes Middleton Oil Company and ranching and farming, according to his campaign biography.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Middleton's campaign website and candidate questionnaire responses.

Property taxes: Middleton said property taxes are "spiraling out of control, threatening family homes and businesses." He called for limits on property-tax growth and said he supports working toward eventual abolition. He also said he wants to ban the use of taxpayer money to hire lobbyists and enforce the open records act.

Border security and immigration: Middleton said he wants to enforce immigration laws, secure the border and enforce deportation orders. He said the attorney general should sue to stop sanctuary cities from, in his words, "ignoring the law and harboring illegal criminals."

Criminal justice and public safety: Middleton said he would lead efforts against district attorneys who refuse to enforce the law. He supports zero-tolerance policies for violent crime and stronger bonds for dangerous offenders, according to his campaign. He also said he would fight to eradicate human trafficking.

Second Amendment: Middleton said he co-authored the constitutional carry bill. Law-abiding citizens should not have to ask for government permission to exercise their right to bear arms, he said.

Education: Middleton said he wants to expand educational opportunities and called for abolishing the Robin Hood redistribution program. Teachers and classrooms should come first, he said.

The attorney general can enforce applicable laws, represent the state and pursue litigation within the office’s authority. Changes to taxes, public benefits or school funding generally require legislation and budget decisions; the attorney general cannot enact them alone.

Sources: Public campaign materials, published candidate profiles and the public records linked above. Policy statements are attributed to the candidate; funding or implementation details are included where available.

The Flower Mound Times did not receive a direct questionnaire response from the candidate and does not endorse candidates.