EXCLUSIVE: Chip Roy eyeing bid for Texas attorney general
Roy — who has served in the House since 2019 — has spoken about potentially running for the post, one of the sources said, which is open after current Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton decided to run for senate, primarying incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).
Reached for comment, Roy told The Hill: 'I'm always considering where I can best serve the people I represent to ensure we preserve and protect a free, secure, and prosperous Texas for generations to come.'
A number of Republicans are already running for Texas attorney general, including state Sens. Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman and Aaron Reitz, who previously worked in the Trump administration and for Paxton.
The 2026 cycle will be the first time the Texas attorney general post has been open since 2014, when Paxton won. The attorney general job in Texas is not subject to term limits.
Ascending to the job of Texas attorney general would mark an end to Roy's tenure on Capitol Hill, which began as chief of staff for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and staff director for the Senate Judiciary Committee under Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), and accelerated when he was elected to represent Texas's 21st Congressional district in the House in 2018. Roy has since become a key member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and a critical player in the lower chamber.
The move, however, would also be a homecoming of sorts for Roy, who served as first assistant attorney general of Texas in 2014 after Paxton named him to the post. Roy has a degree from the University of Texas School of Law.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
18 minutes ago
- The Hill
Intelligence community mourns death of former FBI, CIA Director William Webster
The intelligence community reacted to the death of William H. Webster, the first and only official to lead both the FBI and CIA, commending him for his public service. Webster, according to a statement from his family, died Friday at the age of 101. 'The proud and loving family of the Honorable William H. Webster sadly announces the death of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and patriot,' the family wrote. Former FBI Director Chris Wray, in his first statement since leaving the bureau, called the late director a 'giant' in the legacy of the community. 'He was, in every sense, a giant — not only in the history of our nation's security, but in the hearts of all who believe in public service grounded in integrity and principle,' Wray said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. The FBI, in post on social platform X, said the nation would be 'forever grateful' to Webster. 'We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues,' the agency wrote. 'Judge Webster's unwavering commitment to justice leaves a lasting legacy. We are forever grateful for his service to our nation.' Webster, after spending time in the U.S. Navy and working as a federal judge, was tapped by former President Carter to lead the FBI, where he spent nine years shaping the bureau. Under former Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, he helmed the CIA. 'Judge Webster had the respect and confidence of several Presidents from both parties, including my father and me,' former President George W. Bush wrote in a post shared to X. 'His passion for the rule of law and for the greatness of America made him a model public servant — and earned him the unique distinction of being the only person to have directed both the CIA and FBI.' 'I am grateful for this good man's many contributions to our country, and I send my condolences to Lynda and his family,' he added. While at the CIA, Webster helped navigate the Iran-Contra controversy with patience and peace in mind, according to the AP. 'Whatever the outcome, I am convinced that the most important ingredient is professional respect and mutual trust. No laws can make these happen,' Webster said of the scandal at the time. His words have reverberated throughout the intelligence community decades later as the Trump administration faced push back over President Trump's nominations of Kash Patel to lead the FBI and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii), who has since joined the GOP, as the director of national intelligence. Webster heavily lobbied against both candidates. 'While Mr. Patel's intelligence and patriotism are commendable, his close political alignment with President Trump raises serious concerns about impartiality and integrity,' Webster wrote. 'Statements such as 'He's my intel guy' and his record of executing the president's directives suggest a loyalty to individuals rather than the rule of law—a dangerous precedent for an agency tasked with impartial enforcement of justice.' He also criticized Gabbard for a 'profound lack of experience,' which earned a harsh response from the president. Wray, who retired from the FBI after Trump's return to the Oval Office, said despite past tensions, Webster's legacy would live on. 'His legacy will endure—not only in the institutions he guided, but in the generations of public servants he inspired to carry the torch forward,' the former director said.
Fox News
22 minutes ago
- Fox News
Stephen A. Smith calls out Dems like AOC and Jasmine Crockett as bad look for face of the party
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith blasted the Democratic Party on "Real Time" on Friday for spotlighting progressive candidates like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-T.X., and argued that Republicans are having a "field day" with all the coverage these progressive Democrats are receiving. Smith contended that while he may not agree with everything President Donald Trump is currently doing, he asserted that some Democrats on Capitol Hill have taken their rhetoric about the president too far, and that their antics will not "work to the benefit of the Democratic Party." "When you listen to Jasmine Crockett or an AOC and the way they talk about them, even an Elizabeth Warren to a lesser degree or what have you, the Republicans are having a field day," he stated. "They're like, 'Put them up on the screen. Let's show them.' They put they plaster them all over the place." The ESPN host then turned his attention to NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, noting that while New Yorkers might vote for him, "America won't." "In a general election, you are going to fall if you are anti-America, if you are anti-capitalism, and you want to embrace extreme leftism and socialism," he argued. Smith stated that "they want you scared to say that you're not scared," and assured the audience that he is not afraid to challenge progressives like Ocasio-Cortez, Crockett or Mamdani. Talk show host Dr. Phil, who was also on the show's panel, chimed in, agreeing with Smith's take that Americans are no longer scared of voicing their political beliefs. "Middle America, the heartland, that 80% of America, the heartland of America, is finding their voice, and they're not going to be scared," he stated. "They need to speak up and say what they believe." "Real Time" host Bill Maher noted that Smith and Dr. Phil may be the "unity ticket" that Americans are looking for. It has long been rumored that Smith may run for president in 2028, with the ESPN host hinting at a "possible" presidential bid earlier in the show, adding that he is "disgusted" with the Democratic Party in its current form.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Beto O'Rourke Defiant After Legal Blow in Texas Redistricting Standoff
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Beto O'Rourke was defiant after a judge temporarily barred him and his political group from helping fund Texas Democratic lawmakers who left their home state to block redrawn congressional maps, which President Donald Trump has backed. The ruling marks a victory for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who alleged O'Rourke's group Powered by People engaged in bribery and deceptive fundraising. Paxton "wants to silence me and stop me from leading this organization," O'Rourke, a former Texas congressman who ran unsuccessfully for governor and Senate, wrote on X after the ruling on Friday. "He wants to stop us from fighting Trump's attempt to steal the five congressional seats he needs to hang on to power. But I'm not going anywhere." Newsweek has contacted Paxton's office and O'Rourke through Powered by People for comment via emails sent outside regular business hours. Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks to attendees during a "Our Fight, Our Future" rally at The Millennium bowling alley on October 02, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks to attendees during a "Our Fight, Our Future" rally at The Millennium bowling alley on October 02, 2024 in Austin, It Matters The Democratic lawmakers who left Texas have denied their Republican colleagues the quorum needed for a vote on the redrawn maps that could net the GOP five additional seats in the 2026 midterm elections. They face thousands of dollars in out-of-state lodging and dining costs. They also face fines of $500 for each day they are absent and these cannot be paid from their office budgets or political contributions under Texas House rules. Those who left have declined to say how long they'll hold out. What To Know Powered by People gave money to the Texas House Democratic Caucus to help cover their up-front costs, a spokesperson for the group told The Associated Press earlier this week. Tarrant County District Judge Megan Fahey, a Republican who was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2019 and has since won reelection, granted Paxton's request for a temporary injunction. "Defendants have and will continue to engage in unlawful fundraising practices and utilization of political funds in a manner that either directly violates or causes Texas Democratic Legislators to violate" state law and House procedures, she wrote in her ruling. Her order bars Powered by People from using political funds to pay for travel, hotel or dining costs for the Texas Democrats who left the state or fundraising on their behalf. Powered by People filed a responding lawsuit against Paxton on Friday, alleging his investigation violates the group's right to association, free speech and equal protection, the Houston Chronicle reported. "The true motivation behind defendant's action thus appears to be an unlawful desire to retaliate against Mr. O'Rourke," it said. What People Are Saying Paxton celebrated the judge's ruling, saying in a statement on Friday: "Today, I stopped his deceptive financial influence scheme that attempted to deceive donors and subvert our constitutional process. They told me to 'come and take it,' so I did.'" O'Rourke responded to Paxton on X, saying: "Actually, you didn't. Still here, still raising and rallying to stop the steal of 5 congressional seats in Texas. Ironic that you'd accuse someone of bribery when you were impeached in Texas for taking bribes from Nate Paul." (Paxton was acquitted of bribery and corruption charges by the Republican-led Texas Senate in 2023 after the GOP-controlled House voted to impeach him). In another post, he wrote: "They want to make examples out of those who fight so that others won't. Paxton is trying to shut down Powered by People, one of the largest voter registration organizations in the country, because our volunteers fight for voting rights and free elections... the kind of work that threatens the hold that Paxton, Trump and Abbott have on power in Texas." What's Next O'Rourke is set to speak at a rally—dubbed "The People vs. The Power Grab"— in Fort Worth on Saturday afternoon. Fahey's order is to remain in effect for two weeks. She has scheduled a hearing for August 19.
