Attorney General of Texas · November 3, 2026

Who should I vote for in the Texas attorney general race?

Nathan Johnson has the strongest record in the Texas attorney general race. Nathan Johnson scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Mayes Middleton at 62, as of October 5, 2026. Nathan Johnson's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Mayes Middleton's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Tom Oxford (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Democratic

Strongest record

Nathan Johnson

On the ballot as NATHAN JOHNSON

63 / 100

Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria

Character
50
Qualifications
75
Performance
67

Campaign siteOfficial office

Republican

Mayes Middleton

On the ballot as MAYES MIDDLETON

62 / 100

Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria

Character
50
Qualifications
75
Performance
58

Campaign siteOfficial office

Libertarian

Tom Oxford

On the ballot as TOM OXFORD

Not enough public record for a score

Public evidence on 7 of 15 criteria

Character
50
Qualifications
40
Performance
NR

The good, the bad and the unresolved

The record

The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.

Nathan Johnson

Mayes Middleton

Tom Oxford

No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.

Who they are

Character

Integrity

Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.

2 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Campaign reports on file with the Texas Ethics Commission. No TEC sworn complaint order names him, he is not on the TEC delinquent filer list, and the State Bar shows no public discipline. No PolitiFact rating found.

Sources: The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026, Texas Ethics Commission, Sworn Complaint Orders by Date Issued, Texas Ethics Commission, Delinquent Filer List, Candidates/Officeholders, State Bar of Texas, attorney profile, Nathan Matthew Johnson

2 / 4

Mayes Middleton. Campaign reports on file with the Texas Ethics Commission. No TEC sworn complaint order names him, he is not on the TEC delinquent filer list, and the State Bar shows no public discipline. No PolitiFact rating found.

Sources: Houston Public Media, Sept. 2, 2026, Texas Ethics Commission, Sworn Complaint Orders by Date Issued, Texas Ethics Commission, Delinquent Filer List, Candidates/Officeholders, State Bar of Texas, attorney profile, David Mayes Middleton II

2 / 4

Tom Oxford. A campaign finance report is on file ($394 raised Jan. 1 to June 30, 2026). No TEC sworn complaint order names him, he is not on the TEC delinquent filer list, and the State Bar shows no public discipline.

Sources: The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026, Texas Ethics Commission, Sworn Complaint Orders by Date Issued, Texas Ethics Commission, Delinquent Filer List, Candidates/Officeholders, State Bar of Texas, attorney profile, Thomas Edward Oxford

Courage

Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.

2 / 4

Nathan Johnson. In 2023 voted for a bill raising the minimum sentence for human smuggling to 10 years. A fellow Dallas Democrat cited that vote in a 2024 primary challenge to him, which he won.

Sources: The Texas Tribune, Dec. 11, 2023, The Texas Tribune, Mar. 5, 2024

2 / 4

Mayes Middleton. In 2022 he funded primary challengers to sitting Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, first Matt Krause and then Louie Gohmert, to whom he gave $300,000, per the Texas Tribune.

Source: The Texas Tribune, May 22, 2026

NR

Tom Oxford. No public record found.

Accountability

Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.

2 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Debated his Democratic primary opponent in January 2026, answered the Tribune primary questionnaire and gave interviews to Houston Public Media. No 2026 general election debate found.

Sources: Houston Public Media, Sept. 2, 2026, The Texas Tribune, Apr. 23, 2026

2 / 4

Mayes Middleton. Took part in the Feb. 17, 2026 Republican primary debate and a Collin County Young Republicans debate. Declined the Texas Tribune primary questionnaire and multiple Houston Public Media interview requests. No 2026 general election debate found.

Sources: The Texas Tribune, Feb. 17, 2026, KERA News via Houston Public Media, Feb. 16, 2026, The Texas Tribune, Apr. 22, 2026, Houston Public Media, Sept. 2, 2026

NR

Tom Oxford. No public record found.

Temperament and judgment

Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.

2 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Texas senator since 2019 and a Texas-licensed attorney since 1993, working as a litigator and mediator. No formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found; no public State Bar discipline.

Sources: The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026, State Bar of Texas, attorney profile, Nathan Matthew Johnson

2 / 4

Mayes Middleton. In the Texas Legislature since 2019 and president of Middleton Oil Company. No formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found. His 2025 social media post about Rep. Gene Wu is listed in the Record.

Source: Ballotpedia, Mayes Middleton

2 / 4

Tom Oxford. A Texas-licensed attorney since 1982 who owns and manages a law firm. No public State Bar discipline or other conduct finding found.

Sources: State Bar of Texas, attorney profile, Thomas Edward Oxford, The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026

Fidelity to the oath

Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.

2 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Sworn as a state senator since 2019. No recorded vote or legal filing to reject certified results and no misuse-of-office finding found. His January 2026 statement about enforcing the Women's Privacy Act is listed in the Record.

Sources: The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026, Houston Public Media, Sept. 2, 2026

2 / 4

Mayes Middleton. Sworn as a state representative (2019 to 2023) and state senator (since 2023). No recorded vote or legal filing to reject certified results and no misuse-of-office finding found. His statements calling the 2020 election stolen are listed in the Record.

Sources: Ballotpedia, Mayes Middleton, The Texas Tribune, Apr. 22, 2026

NR

Tom Oxford. No public record found.

What they bring

Qualifications

Relevant experience

Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.

4 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Three terms in the Texas Senate since 2019 and a Texas-licensed litigator since 1993, now with Thompson Coburn.

Sources: The Texas Tribune, July 15, 2025, State Bar of Texas, attorney profile, Nathan Matthew Johnson, The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026

4 / 4

Mayes Middleton. Two terms in the Texas House (2019 to 2023) and a state senator since 2023. Licensed to practice law in Texas since 2008 but has worked only for his family oil and gas company, per the Texas Tribune.

Sources: Ballotpedia, Mayes Middleton, State Bar of Texas, attorney profile, David Mayes Middleton II, The Texas Tribune, Aug. 31, 2026

2 / 4

Tom Oxford. Has practiced law since 1982 in personal injury, immigration and civil rights, and has argued before the Texas Supreme Court and the Fifth Circuit. No prior public office.

Source: The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026

Command of the job

Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.

3 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Vice chair of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee. Published office plans in the Ballotpedia survey and Community Impact questionnaire covering child support, agency advice, corruption cases and consumer protection.

Sources: The Texas Tribune Elected Officials Directory, Sen. Nathan Johnson, Ballotpedia, Nathan Johnson (Texas), Community Impact, Aug. 31, 2026

3 / 4

Mayes Middleton. Member of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee. Gave Community Impact specific office plans, such as quarterly budget reports and a public-information tracking portal. His plan for state prosecution of any crime conflicts with Texas court rulings, per the Tribune.

Sources: Texas Legislature Online, Sen. Mayes Middleton, 89th Legislature, Community Impact, Aug. 31, 2026, The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026

1 / 4

Tom Oxford. No published issue positions found. The Texas Tribune found no public information on his policy stances, and he did not answer the Community Impact questionnaire or the 2026 Ballotpedia survey.

Sources: The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026, Community Impact, Aug. 31, 2026

Communication

Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.

3 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Completed the 2026 Ballotpedia survey and the Community Impact and Tribune questionnaires, debated in the primary and publishes issue pages. Four or more channels.

Sources: Ballotpedia, Nathan Johnson (Texas), Community Impact, Aug. 31, 2026, The Texas Tribune, Apr. 23, 2026, Houston Public Media, Sept. 2, 2026

3 / 4

Mayes Middleton. Answered the Community Impact general election questionnaire, took part in primary debates and publishes issue positions on his campaign site. Did not complete the 2026 Ballotpedia survey or the Tribune primary questionnaire. Three channels.

Sources: Community Impact, Aug. 31, 2026, The Texas Tribune, Feb. 17, 2026, Ballotpedia, Mayes Middleton

1 / 4

Tom Oxford. No questionnaire answered and no issue explanations found: no response to Community Impact, 2026 Ballotpedia survey not completed, and no public policy stances found by the Texas Tribune.

Sources: Community Impact, Aug. 31, 2026, Ballotpedia, Tom Oxford, The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026

Roots in the constituency

Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.

3 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Lists Dallas as his hometown and has represented Dallas-area Senate District 16 since 2019. In-state donor share not computed.

Sources: The Texas Tribune Elected Officials Directory, Sen. Nathan Johnson, The Texas Tribune, Dec. 11, 2023

3 / 4

Mayes Middleton. Born in Wallisville, lives in Galveston and has represented the Galveston area in the Legislature since 2019. Has put more than $17 million of his own money into the race, nearly two-thirds of 2026 receipts. In-state donor share not computed.

Sources: Ballotpedia, Mayes Middleton, The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026

2 / 4

Tom Oxford. Earned degrees from the University of Texas (1979) and University of Houston law school (1982) and practices in Jefferson County, with a Nederland office address.

Sources: Ballotpedia, Tom Oxford, The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026

Management

Can build and run an organization.

2 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Campaign reports filed; not on the TEC delinquent filer list. No record of leading an organization found.

Sources: The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026, Texas Ethics Commission, Delinquent Filer List, Candidates/Officeholders

2 / 4

Mayes Middleton. President of Middleton Oil Company, a family business the State Bar lists at 2 to 5 people. Campaign reports filed; not on the TEC delinquent filer list.

Sources: The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026, State Bar of Texas, attorney profile, David Mayes Middleton II, Texas Ethics Commission, Delinquent Filer List, Candidates/Officeholders

2 / 4

Tom Oxford. Owns and manages Oxford Law PLLC, which the State Bar lists at 2 to 5 people.

Sources: The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026, State Bar of Texas, attorney profile, Thomas Edward Oxford

What they deliver

Performance

Results

Turns ideas into outcomes.

3 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Primary author of 44 Senate bills that became law, 2019 to 2025, per Texas Legislature Online bills-authored reports, including SB 1296 (2021), SB 2105 (2023) and SB 1343 (2025). He cites 134, which includes sponsored House bills.

Sources: Texas Legislature Online, Bills Authored, Sen. Nathan Johnson, 87th Legislature, Texas Legislature Online, Bills Authored, Sen. Nathan Johnson, 88th Legislature, Texas Legislature Online, Bills Authored, Sen. Nathan Johnson, 89th Legislature, The Texas Tribune, Oct. 5, 2026

3 / 4

Mayes Middleton. Primary author of 23 bills that became law, 2019 to 2025 (2 as a House member, 21 as a senator), per Texas Legislature Online bills-authored reports. Examples: SB 15 (2023), SB 11 (2025), SB 8 (2025, second called session).

Sources: Texas Legislature Online, Bills Authored, Sen. Mayes Middleton, 88th Legislature, Texas Legislature Online, Bills Authored, Sen. Mayes Middleton, 89th Legislature, Texas Legislature Online, Bills Authored, Sen. Mayes Middleton, 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, Texas Legislature Online, Bills Authored, Rep. Mayes Middleton, 86th Legislature

NR

Tom Oxford. No public record found.

Showing up

Does the basic work of the job.

NR

Nathan Johnson. No public record found.

NR

Mayes Middleton. No public record found.

NR

Tom Oxford. No public record found.

Constituent service

Solves problems for the people they represent.

2 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Maintains a Senate district office in Dallas.

Source: The Texas Tribune Elected Officials Directory, Sen. Nathan Johnson

2 / 4

Mayes Middleton. Maintains four Senate district offices, in Galveston, Pearland, League City and Baytown.

Source: The Texas Tribune Elected Officials Directory, Sen. Mayes Middleton

NR

Tom Oxford. No public record found.

Coalition building

Wins support beyond their own faction.

3 / 4

Nathan Johnson. Endorsed by two former Republican Texas Supreme Court justices, Tom Phillips and Deborah Hankinson. Several of his enacted bills had Republican joint authors, including SB 1414 (2023) and SB 1210 (2021).

Sources: The Texas Tribune, Aug. 31, 2026, USA TODAY Network, Aug. 31, 2026, Texas Legislature Online, Bills Authored, Sen. Nathan Johnson, 88th Legislature, Texas Legislature Online, Bills Authored, Sen. Nathan Johnson, 87th Legislature, Ballotpedia, Mayes Middleton

2 / 4

Mayes Middleton. One documented bipartisan result: SB 1383 (2025), jointly authored with Democratic Sen. Nathan Johnson, became law.

Sources: Texas Legislature Online, Bills Authored, Sen. Mayes Middleton, 89th Legislature, Ballotpedia, Mayes Middleton

NR

Tom Oxford. No public record found.

Stewardship of public money

Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.

NR

Nathan Johnson. No public record found.

NR

Mayes Middleton. No public record found.

NR

Tom Oxford. No public record found.

How to read this

Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.

A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.

No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 5, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.

Questions

Who should I vote for in the Texas attorney general race?

Nathan Johnson has the strongest record in the Texas attorney general race. Nathan Johnson scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Mayes Middleton at 62, as of October 5, 2026. Nathan Johnson's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Mayes Middleton's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Tom Oxford (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Who is running in the Texas attorney general race in 2026?

NATHAN JOHNSON (Democratic), MAYES MIDDLETON (Republican), TOM OXFORD (Libertarian). The general election is November 3, 2026.

Is Nathan Johnson a good candidate for Attorney General?

Nathan Johnson scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 67 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.

Is Mayes Middleton a good candidate for Attorney General?

Mayes Middleton scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 58 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.

Is Tom Oxford a good candidate for Attorney General?

Tom Oxford has public evidence on 7 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.

How is the strongest record decided?

The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.

More on this race: every Texas race scored, and the Texas 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.