Paxton Takes Office

Ken Paxton is sworn in as Texas Attorney General, beginning what would become a 12-year tenure defining the office as a vehicle for conservative legal battles.

FBI Investigation Surfaces

Reports emerge that the FBI is investigating Paxton on allegations of bribery and abuse of office. Several senior aides file a whistleblower complaint. Chip Roy publicly calls for Paxton to resign.

Texas House Impeaches Paxton

The Texas House votes 121–23 to impeach Paxton on corruption charges, temporarily suspending him from office. The bipartisan margin stuns observers. Roy supports impeachment proceedings.

Texas Senate Acquits Paxton

The Texas Senate votes to acquit Paxton on all articles of impeachment, falling short of the two-thirds threshold needed to remove him. Paxton is reinstated and immediately declares political war on those who voted to impeach.

Paxton Endorses Middleton

Paxton endorses State Senator Mayes Middleton of Galveston for the 2026 Texas AG race, framing the contest as a loyalty test to Trump and the MAGA movement versus the 'establishment' wing of the Texas GOP.

Chip Roy Enters AG Race

U.S. Representative Chip Roy announces his candidacy for Texas Attorney General, the same office he had publicly called on Paxton to vacate. Paxton and allies immediately attack Roy as an opportunist.

Primary Election — No Majority

Neither Middleton nor Roy secures a majority in the March Republican primary. The race advances to a May runoff, intensifying national attention on the Texas GOP factional battle.

Middleton Wins the Runoff

Mayes Middleton decisively defeats Chip Roy in the Republican primary runoff. Paxton's political machine and Trump-aligned grassroots energy deliver a clear verdict in the factional war inside the Texas GOP.