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The Republican Attorneys General Association staged a fiery showdown at the Granada Theater in Dallas on February 17, 2026, with BlazeTV’s Allie Beth Stuckey moderating a debate that Texans needed to see. Four GOP contenders—Rep. Chip Roy, Aaron Reitz, Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman—answered tough questions and left no doubt this contest will decide who defends our state against the relentless left. The night felt less like polite exchange and more like a necessary battle for the soul and safety of Texas.
Candidates traded sharp lines on immigration, gender ideology, religious liberty, fentanyl and the limits of the AG’s power, proving that conservatives in Texas still prioritize common-sense law and order. The debate exposed who has a plan for enforcement and who leans on applause lines, giving voters a clearer picture before the March 3, 2026 primary. Moderated exchanges made it plain that this race isn’t about kumbaya—it’s about winning legal fights that matter to hardworking Texans.
Chip Roy entered the stage as the unapologetic conservative warrior many grassroots voters respect, touting Sen. Ted Cruz’s endorsement and promising to “follow the money” to root out corruption and target radical threats. Roy’s record of standing up to federal overreach and his willingness to take on bad actors in both parties shows the kind of relentless AG Texans need. If voters want an aggressive, principled defender of liberty, Roy’s arguments resonated with straight talk rather than empty rhetoric.
Aaron Reitz leaned into his courtroom credentials and Ken Paxton’s endorsement, arguing that he’s been vetted at the Justice Department and is battle-tested to fight the Biden administration and activist prosecutors. That message will play well with voters who want a technician in the office, but it also raises the honest question of whether the AG should be an independent check or merely a continuation of past allegiances. Texans deserve both conservative loyalty and an ironclad record of independent, victorious litigation.
Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman offered contrasting conservative appeals: Middleton stressed his business background and legislative fights against transgender ideology as proof he’ll defend women and children, while Huffman leaned on her prosecutorial and judicial experience and vowed to fight with every breath to keep Texas safe. Both staked out hardline positions against the cultural rot from the Left, but voters will have to decide whether they want courtroom experience or cultural combativeness at the AG’s helm. This debate clarified those differences and reminded Texans that principled, fearless leadership—not wishful thinking—will preserve our freedoms.
