Rep. Chip Roy, who clashed with Trump and GOP leaders, launches bid for Texas AG

Conservative Rep. Chip Roy, who has fought with Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson, said he is running for Texas attorney general in 2026.

WASHINGTON — Conservative firebrand Rep. Chip Roy said Thursday he is running for Texas attorney general in 2026, jumping into a crowded Republican primary field to replace Ken Paxton.

Roy, a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, has been a thorn in the side of President Donald Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and the House GOP leadership team. A former attorney and top aide to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Roy first came to Congress in 2019.

In his campaign launch video posted Thursday, Roy, 53, warned “the Texas of our dreams, our families and our forefathers, is under assault," blaming “radical Democrats and George Soros,” “open border politicians,” and “faceless corporations and the Chinese Communist Party.”

“Today, we draw a line in the sand,” he said.

Roy joins several other Republican candidates in the race for attorney general after Paxton announced a bid against Sen. John Cornyn in 2026.