Politics

TEXAS SHOWDOWN: GOP Heavyweights CLASH in Heated Battle to Replace Ken Paxton as Attorney General

Gary FranchiFebruary 18, 2026143 views
TEXAS SHOWDOWN: GOP Heavyweights CLASH in Heated Battle to Replace Ken Paxton as Attorney General
Photo by Generated on Unsplash

The gloves came off Tuesday night as four top Texas Republicans went head-to-head in a heated debate to determine who will succeed Attorney General Ken Paxton, with conservative powerhouse Allie Beth Stuckey moderating what promises to be one of the most consequential races in the Lone Star State.

Congressman Chip Roy and attorney Aaron Reitz led the charge, taking direct shots at their opponents' records in what Stuckey called "the only debate to feature all four Republican candidates." The no-holds-barred showdown revealed deep divisions among conservatives vying to lead Texas's legal battles against federal overreach.

"This is about more than just legal experience – this is about having the backbone to stand up to Washington's radical agenda," one candidate fired back after being challenged on their courtroom credentials. The tension was palpable as each contender tried to prove their America First bona fides.

Battle for Conservative Street Cred

Roy, known for his fierce opposition to RINOs and unwavering support for President Trump's agenda, emphasized his congressional experience fighting the Deep State. Meanwhile, Reitz and the other candidates – including state senators whose names weren't fully disclosed – hammered away at the importance of actual legal practice in taking on Biden-era policies still being unwound by the Trump administration.

The debate highlighted a critical question facing Texas Republicans: Do they want a seasoned legislator who understands the political battlefield, or a courtroom warrior with decades of legal experience?

"We can't afford a loser mentality when it comes to defending Texas values," one candidate declared, drawing applause from the audience.

With Texas serving as the tip of the spear in legal challenges to federal government overreach – from border security to energy regulations – this race carries national implications. The winner will likely find themselves on the front lines of President Trump's second-term agenda.

Patriots across Texas now have a clear choice: Which candidate has the fighting spirit and legal firepower to continue Paxton's legacy of putting America First? The stakes couldn't be higher for the future of conservative governance in the Lone Star State.

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Gary Franchi

Award-winning journalist covering breaking news, politics & culture for Next News Network.

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B
BorderDefenderVerifiedjust now
As long as the next AG keeps suing the feds over immigration enforcement, I'm happy. That's been Paxton's one saving grace through all this mess.
C
ConservativeVoterVerifiedjust now
Who are the main candidates being talked about? I want to make sure I research them thoroughly before the primary.
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AustinConservativeVerifiedjust now
Been following Texas politics for 30 years and I've never seen an AG race this wide open. Could be a real opportunity to get someone excellent in there if we choose wisely.
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SmallGovTexanVerifiedjust now
About time we had some accountability! The AG office needs to get back to basics - defending our constitutional rights and state sovereignty.
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TeaPartyVetVerifiedjust now
Amen to that! Less drama, more conservative results.
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RedStateRealistVerifiedjust now
This is exactly what the Democrats wanted - Republicans fighting each other while they stack the courts. We better unite behind whoever wins the primary.
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TrueTexanVerifiedjust now
You're absolutely right. Primary season gets heated but we can't forget the bigger picture here.
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GunRightsFirstVerifiedjust now
Hope we get someone who's rock solid on 2A issues and won't cave to pressure from the media.
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TexasPatriot2024Verifiedjust now
Finally! We need fresh blood in the AG office who will actually focus on fighting Biden's overreach instead of all this drama.
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LoneStar_MomVerifiedjust now
Agreed! The border crisis should be priority #1 for our next AG.