As the November elections approach with control of Congress at stake, races for state attorney general are gaining prominence, attracting significant financial support from partisan groups, corporations and advocacy networks.
Republican organizations dedicated to these contests raised a record $29 million last year in preparation for the 2026 midterms, even as Democratic counterparts brought in $28 million – double their usual fundraising at this point in the election cycle. Some 30 attorney general seats are on the ballot this year, with money flowing in from technology companies, tobacco companies, and other entities potentially facing scrutiny from the states’ top legal officers.
The rising importance of the office is linked to the increasing reliance on lawsuits to resolve political and legal challenges, according to James Tierney, a former Maine attorney general and current Harvard instructor. The position is likewise increasingly seen as a stepping stone to higher office; ten current governors previously served as attorneys general, including three elected in 2024.
The political potential of the office is not lost on donors. Adam Piper, executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association, noted that attorneys general are “now the favorite” in races for top-of-the-ballot offices, compared to being “the underdogs” in the past.
Priority races for both parties are concentrated in swing states. Democrats are targeting Republican-leaning Georgia, Kansas, and Ohio, while Republicans are focusing on pickups in Minnesota and New York. Key battlegrounds include Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin, all states Democrats won in 2022.
Texas Attorney General Race
In Texas, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy is facing state Sen. Mayes Middleton in a May 26 runoff for the Republican nomination for attorney general. Current officeholder Ken Paxton is simultaneously in a runoff for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate against incumbent John Cornyn, also a former attorney general. Paxton was recently acquitted of corruption charges and has pursued investigations into gender-affirming care for minors and abortion cases, even across state lines.
Middleton has pledged to investigate financier George Soros, the subject of some conservative conspiracy theories, if elected. Roy emphasized that as attorney general, he would be “one of one” fighting for constituents, rather than “one of 435” in the U.S. House.
National Legal Battles
Nationally, 24 Democratic officials – including 22 attorneys general and two governors – recently sued the Trump administration over attempted tariffs on imports. Democratic officials have filed over 80 lawsuits against the administration since Trump returned to office, with favorable rulings in the majority of cases, according to the Progressive State Leaders Committee.
Arizona’s Attorney General
In Arizona, Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat who won her seat by just 280 votes, stated that lawsuits against the administration have saved the state $1.5 billion. She was the first attorney general to file criminal charges against Kalshi, a prediction market company. Republican candidate Rodney Glassman has made withdrawing from these challenges a key part of his campaign, calling the filings “clickbait.”
A Republican victory in Arizona could accelerate attempts to pursue claims of voter fraud. State Senate President Warren Peterson recently handed over election records to the FBI.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money was raised by Republican organizations for the 2026 attorney general races?
Republican organizations raised a record $29 million in preparation for the 2026 midterms.
How many attorney general seats are up for election this year?
Some 30 seats are on the ballot this year.
What is the role of attorneys general in national politics?
Attorneys general are increasingly important because of the growing use of lawsuits to resolve problems and because the office serves as a springboard for higher office, such as governor or even a presidential running mate.
Given the increasing financial and political stakes in these races, how might the outcomes of these attorney general elections shape the legal and political landscape in the coming years?
