With a self-funded ad surge, Middleton overcame Roy’s initial frontrunner status, taking a commanding lead but falling short of the majority needed to win outright.
Eleanor Klibanoff
Eleanor Klibanoff is the law and politics reporter, based in Austin, where she covers the the Texas Legislature, the Office of the Attorney General, state and federal courts and politics writ large. She also co-hosts the weekly politics podcast, TribCast. Eleanor previously spent three years as the Tribune’s women’s health reporter, covering abortion, maternal health and LGBTQ issues. Before coming to Texas, Eleanor worked for the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, where she reported, hosted and produced the Peabody-nominated podcast, “Dig.” Eleanor was born in Philadelphia and raised in Atlanta, and attended The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Who is Steve Toth, the outspoken state House hardliner who wiped out incumbent Dan Crenshaw?
The Texas state representative is part of a band of conservatives known for antagonizing Republican leadership and working to push the state further right.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Big money moved the needle and down-ballot chaos reigned in Texas’ action-packed primaries
Two blockbuster Senate primaries dominated attention, chaos reigned in down-ballot races and an intense runoff season looms.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Supreme Court orders Dallas, Williamson counties to separate votes after poll hours extended
Dallas and Williamson counties closed centralized voting centers, which had become a common practice, at the request of local Republicans.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Polls close today in the Texas primaries. Here are five things to watch.
This Tuesday, Tribune reporters are watching two blockbuster Senate primaries, an open attorney general seat, and more high-stakes, competitive races up and down the Texas ballot.
Posted in
Immigration
Harris County immigrant legal services program can continue, appeals court rules
A similar lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against Bexar County was rejected by a judge on Feb. 20.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texts show Rep. Tony Gonzales asked for explicit photos from aide who later died by suicide
Additionally, a police report shows that the aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, told responding officers she set herself on fire because her husband was romantically involved with her best friend.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
GOP attorney general candidates tout conservative bona fides at only debate in primary to succeed Ken Paxton
All four candidates are vying to prove they are the heir apparent to Paxton, who has solidified the office as a juggernaut in the conservative legal movement.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Chip Roy is known for calling out GOP leaders. He says that’s what Texas needs in an attorney general.
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy has broken with his party, and called out President Donald Trump and Attorney General Ken Paxton. He says his loyalty is to Texas and to the Constitution.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Aaron Reitz, Paxton’s endorsed successor, vows to “destroy the left” if elected Texas attorney general
Reitz believes the nation is at war with liberals, and the best bulwark against them is a fully empowered Texas attorney general’s office — with him at the helm.