Ever wonder who’s going to be calling the legal shots for Texas a few years down the road? Well, a fresh poll just came out, giving us an early peek at the 2026 primary elections, and it's pretty interesting, especially when you think about the legal weight these offices carry. Let’s cut to the chase: U.S. Rep. Chip Roy seems to be leading the Republican pack for Texas Attorney General. He’s got a 10-point edge over state Sen. Mayes Middleton. For the Democrats, state Sen. Nathan Johnson is slightly ahead. This isn't just about who wins; it's about who gets to be the state's top lawyer. The Attorney General defends Texas in court, tackles big consumer protection cases, and weighs in on how state laws — and your constitutional rights — are interpreted. So, if you care about legal precedent or how state agencies operate, this race is a big deal. Roy's sitting at 33% among likely Republican voters, with Middleton at 23%. State Sen. Joan Huffman and former U.S. Department of Justice assistant attorney general Aaron Reitz follow behind. What's interesting is that most voters actually recognize Roy and Middleton. For Huffman and Reitz, a lot of folks just aren't sure who they are yet. A quarter of those polled haven't made up their minds, which means there's plenty of room for things to shift. Over on the Democratic side for AG, Johnson's got 25% of the vote, just three points above former Galveston mayor Joe Jaworski. Tony Box, a private attorney and ex-FBI agent, is at 13%. Here, a whopping 40% of voters are undecided, and most don't know enough about any of these candidates to form an opinion. It’s wide open, meaning their legal platforms and public policy stances will matter a lot as the race heats up. These numbers come from a University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll, which talked to 550 likely voters for each primary. They say the margin of error is about plus or minus 4.18%. That's good to keep in mind; a lead can feel comfortable but might not be a lock. Beyond the Attorney General, other significant races are shaping up. Former state Sen. Don Huffines is looking strong in the Republican primary for Texas Comptroller. He's got a big lead, 20 points ahead of acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock and 12 points over Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick. The Comptroller isn’t just an accountant; they're the state's chief financial officer, certifying the budget, collecting taxes, and overseeing a huge chunk of Texas's economy. Their policies can impact everything from school funding to state infrastructure projects. Hancock, who was appointed last June, isn't well-known yet; 58% of voters don't have an opinion on him. Huffines, however, has 33% of likely Republican voters behind him, even though 29% are still on the fence. And what about our food and farms? Incumbent Sid Miller is leading the Republican primary for Agriculture Commissioner by a big margin — 30 points — against challenger Nate Sheets. Miller has 48% of the support. Governor Greg Abbott actually endorsed Sheets pretty early in the polling period, but it seems that hasn't moved the needle much yet. Most folks don't know Sheets well enough to have an opinion. The Agriculture Commissioner's office handles a lot of consumer protection and regulatory matters that touch farmers and everyday Texans. Then there’s the Railroad Commissioner race. Don't let the name fool you; this office primarily regulates the state's oil and gas industry. It's a tight Republican contest between incumbent Jim Wright and Marine veteran Jim Matlock, with Wright barely ahead by one point at 21%. A large 41% of voters are undecided here. On the Democratic side, state Rep. Jon Rosenthal is the only one running for that open seat, making his path to the general election much smoother. Finally, the Governor's race is also heating up for the Democrats. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa has a big lead at 37% in a crowded field of eight candidates, with 30 points over former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell. Still, 32% of Democratic voters are undecided. In the hypothetical general election matchups, current Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick both hold leads over their Democratic opponents, suggesting an uphill battle for the challengers. These top offices have immense power over state legislation, budget, and appointments, directly shaping public policy for every Texan. This poll really just scratches the surface. There’s a lot of time between now and 2026, and a lot of voters who are still making up their minds. But these early numbers give us a good sense of where things stand and how important these upcoming races are for the legal and policy direction of Texas.