For the first time in a decade, Texas voters will have the opportunity to elect a new attorney general without an incumbent in the race. During The Texas Tribune Festival, candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parties articulated their visions for the office, currently held by Ken Paxton, who is stepping down to challenge Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary.

Ken Paxton, a Republican, has utilized the attorney general's office as a platform to oppose Democratic policies since taking office in 2014. Aaron Reitz, Paxton’s former deputy and one of the candidates, expressed his intention to continue this approach if elected. Reitz emphasized his experience in legal matters concerning the State of Texas and its constitutional rights, citing his previous roles, including serving as chief of staff for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and running the Office of Legal Policy at the Department of Justice under President Donald Trump. However, he has faced criticism for his political inexperience, having previously placed fourth in a state House primary in 2020, despite raising significant funds for his campaign, amounting to $2 million in its early stages.

State Senator Joan Huffman, another Republican candidate, highlighted her background as a Harris County district judge and her legislative experience, including overseeing redistricting and budget processes. Huffman noted that she would be the first woman and mother to serve as attorney general if elected, emphasizing the need to protect community rights while prosecuting those who threaten public safety. She also expressed a desire to rebuild trust between the attorney general's office and local law enforcement, which has been strained in recent years. Huffman has previously authored legislation aimed at increasing the accountability of prosecutors in Texas, particularly in larger, more liberal counties.

Reitz echoed concerns about Democratic district attorneys, specifically targeting Travis County District Attorney José Garza and Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare for removal if he were to win the election.

On the Democratic side, candidates Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski proposed a shift in priorities for the attorney general's office, focusing on transparency and reducing political conflicts. They criticized Paxton's approach, which they argue has been overly focused on partisan battles rather than addressing pressing issues such as child support enforcement and public access to government records. Jaworski suggested enforcing a state law requiring high schools to provide voter registration opportunities for seniors, addressing the low registration rates among young voters in Texas. Johnson proposed limiting the use of external legal counsel, which has become a costly practice under Paxton, advocating for hiring skilled attorneys directly within the office.

The upcoming election presents a significant opportunity for Texas voters to influence the direction of the attorney general's office, which has been a focal point of political contention in recent years, particularly regarding immigration policies and local governance.