Democrat Senator Launches Bid for Texas Attorney General

July 16, 2025 – State Senator Nathan Johnson of Dallas has officially launched his campaign for Texas Attorney General, becoming the first Democrat to enter the race for the open statewide seat in 2026. His candidacy signals a bold challenge to the Republican stronghold on statewide offices—positions Democrats have not won in Texas since 1994.

Johnson, a former energy attorney and composer, was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2018, when he unseated Republican incumbent Don Huffines. The two now find themselves on parallel political paths: Johnson vying for attorney general, while Huffines seeks the Republican nomination for state comptroller.

“I’m running to restore trust, professionalism, and independence to the Office of the Attorney General,” Johnson said in his announcement, referencing ongoing ethical controversies surrounding current and former officeholders.

On the Republican side, the race is already heating up with three prominent contenders: State Senators Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman, and Aaron Reitz, a former U.S. Department of Justice official with strong conservative credentials.

Johnson’s entry is expected to energize Democratic activists in Texas, though the road ahead remains steep. With the GOP entrenched in statewide leadership, his campaign will test whether Texas is ready for a partisan shift at the top of its legal system.