Ever wonder who holds the purse strings in Texas politics? Well, when it comes to the race for our state’s top lawyer, the Attorney General, it's all about who's got the biggest bank account. We're seeing some serious cash being thrown around in the Republican primary, way more than the Democrats are managing. This isn't just a popularity contest. The Attorney General is a huge deal for you and every Texan. They're the chief legal officer, handling everything from defending state laws in court to protecting consumers and even fighting federal mandates. Their decisions affect your daily life, your rights, and the future of Texas policy. So, understanding who's funding these candidates gives us a peek into what kind of legal agenda might take shape. Right now, it’s a wide-open field, the first in over ten years, as current AG Ken Paxton is stepping aside to run for the U.S. Senate. Four Republicans are battling it out, and two names are really standing out financially: State Senator Mayes Middleton and U.S. Representative Chip Roy. They've stockpiled millions, making their campaigns tough to ignore. Middleton, a Galveston Republican, is leading the money race with a whopping $11.8 million raised in the latter half of last year. But here’s the kicker: over 90% of that cash came straight from his own pocket. He’s an oil and gas executive, and he's not shy about funding his own run. He’s spending fast too, burning through $6 million on ads and mailers, but still has $5 million left. His biggest outside donor? A California billionaire who supports school vouchers, dropping $50,000. Then there’s Chip Roy, an Austin Republican, who seems to be polling ahead despite having less cash. He's got $4.2 million in the bank, and about half of his recent $4.5 million haul came from his congressional campaign funds. His team is highlighting that a big chunk of his donations, 85%, were smaller amounts, less than $100. Roy also pulled in significant contributions from a Midland rancher, a Houston investor, and a political action committee linked to an Amarillo businessman – names you might recognize if you follow Texas politics closely. Aaron Reitz, a former Department of Justice official and a close associate of Paxton, is the dark horse. Paxton himself has endorsed Reitz. Unlike the others, Reitz is a political newcomer and built his $3 million war chest from scratch since June. He’s proud that he’s pulled in more individual donations than his Republican rivals combined, even though he only had two big donations over $100,000. He sees it as a “grassroots campaign,” powered by regular Texans who want a leader aligned with Paxton and Trump's conservative values. Bringing up the rear financially is State Senator Joan Huffman from Houston. She's a seasoned legislator, known as a former prosecutor and judge, and she's running on a law-and-order platform. Her support comes from some long-time Republican donors, often seen as part of the party's older establishment guard. This makes her standing interesting in a party that's shifting further right. On the Democratic side, the fundraising numbers are much more modest. State Senator Nathan Johnson of Dallas leads their three-person field, pulling in about $650,000 and sitting on $750,000 cash. Former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski, who’s tried for this spot before, raised almost $220,000 and has $250,000 left. Dallas attorney Tony Box, a first-timer, raised $137,000 and has about $28,000 on hand. What does this all mean for you? A recent poll showed that most Democratic voters aren't sure who they'll pick, saying they need more information. It tells us that while money talks, especially in the primaries, voter education and direct engagement are still incredibly important. This election isn't just about personalities; it's about the legal direction of our entire state.