Okay, so you know how the Texas Attorney General's office has become a really big deal, not just here but across the country? Well, the candidates who want to be the next AG just had their only debate before the primary election. It's a pretty important moment for anyone paying attention to legal policy and how Texas might shape national conservative efforts. This isn't your usual political squabble. The office, especially under Ken Paxton, has turned into a major player in pushing conservative legal ideas through the courts. So, who steps into those shoes matters a ton for how state laws get defended and even how Texas challenges federal policies. You should care because this election will directly affect *your* rights and the legal direction of our state. Four Republicans are duking it out. Early voting just started, running until February 27th, and the primary itself is on March 3rd. This debate gave them one final shot to show voters why they're the best person to lead such a powerful legal agency. Let's talk about the top contenders. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy is often seen as the frontrunner. He's got a history, having worked for Senator Ted Cruz and even served as a top deputy when Paxton first became AG. His opponents are probably going to hit him on his sometimes-rocky relationship with Paxton and even former President Trump. But Roy says his independent spirit and focus on limited government are exactly what the AG office needs. For you, that means a focus on reducing government reach, which has specific legal interpretations for state power. Then there's State Sen. Mayes Middleton from Galveston. He's an oil and gas executive who's put millions of his own dollars into this race, positioning himself as "MAGA Mayes." He points to his time as a conservative legislator. The big question for Middleton, though, is his actual legal experience outside his family business. Running an office like the AG's needs someone with deep legal know-how, and a lack of it could change how the office operates and the types of cases it takes on. Rounding out the field are State Sen. Joan Huffman of Houston and Aaron Reitz, a former Paxton aide. Huffman brings serious legal chops to the table. She's been a prosecutor, a judge, and a legislator focused on criminal justice. Her pitch is all about bringing "law and order" to the agency, which sounds like a promise to vigorously pursue criminal cases and uphold state statutes. Reitz, despite Paxton's endorsement, is polling lower. He's known for helping Paxton wage legal battles against the Biden administration. Reitz openly says he wants to use the AG's office to "wage war on the political left," which signals a very aggressive, ideologically driven legal agenda that would certainly shape public policy and potentially test constitutional boundaries. The Republican Attorneys General Association hosted this debate. They're telling everyone that the next Texas AG builds on the legacies of Paxton, Greg Abbott, and John Cornyn. They see the job as vital for protecting Texans, making sure the rule of law is followed, and keeping freedom intact for future generations. That's a big promise, and how each candidate interprets "protecting Texans" or "preserving freedom" has massive legal and constitutional consequences. Whoever wins the Republican primary – or a runoff later in May – will then face the Democratic nominee. It's been a long time since a Democrat won a statewide office in Texas, with the last time being back in 1994. But even with that history, this race is far from settled, and its outcome will decide how *your* state's top lawyer shapes the legal framework for years to come.