Mayes Middleton seeks Texas attorney general seat

Mayes Middleton, a Republican state senator representing Texas Senate District 11, is running for Texas attorney general in the Nov. 3 general election. He faces Democrat Nathan Johnson and Libertarian Tom Oxford.

Middleton, who said he has been licensed to practice law since 2008, said on his campaign website that he would enforce border security orders, hold government entities accountable to taxpayers and pursue district attorneys who he says refuse to enforce the law.

Candidate information

Party: Republican
Office sought: Texas attorney general
Education: Juris doctor, University of Texas; bachelor's in Plan II Honors, University of Texas
Background: Middleton said he is a seventh-generation Texan. He has said he rejected the state pension and healthcare and donates his entire state salary to local charities, according to his campaign website.

Experience and public service

Middleton serves as a state senator for District 11 in the Texas Senate. He has said he served as chairman of the Texas House Freedom Caucus. BallotReady profile data also lists him as president of Middleton Oil Company and as having ranching and farming operations.

On the issues

The following positions come from Middleton's campaign website and his responses collected by BallotReady. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.

Property taxes and spending: Middleton has called for "iron-clad limits on property tax growth and meaningful relief, while simultaneously working towards eventual abolition." He has also called for a constitutional spending cap and zero-based budgeting. He said he wants to ban the use of taxpayer money to hire lobbyists and enforce the open records act so taxpayers can see how their dollars are spent.

Border security and immigration: Middleton has said Texas border security is national security. He has called for enforcing immigration laws, deporting people who entered the country illegally and who have committed violent crimes, and suing to stop what he calls "sanctuary cities."

Criminal justice and public safety: Middleton has said he would lead efforts to rein in district attorneys who refuse to enforce the law. He has called for zero-tolerance policies for violent crime, stronger bonds for dangerous offenders and efforts to combat human trafficking. He has also said he would sue corporations for deceptive trade practices to protect consumers.

Education: Middleton has said the state's education funding system needs a complete overhaul, including abolishing what he calls the Robin Hood redistribution program. He has also called for expanding educational opportunities and opposing what he describes as gender ideology and critical race theory in schools.

Second Amendment: Middleton said he co-authored the constitutional carry bill in Texas. He has said law-abiding citizens should not have to ask for government permission or pay a tax to exercise their right to bear arms.