Texas Representative Chip Roy, R-Texas, pushed back Monday on polling that showed him trailing in Tuesday’s Republican runoff for Texas attorney general, asserting his campaign’s internal numbers indicate he is ahead and gaining momentum against state Senator Mayes Middleton.
“We are very much seeing our polling showing us in the lead and moving forward in the right trend,” Roy stated during an interview with Rob Finnerty.
According to Decision Desk HQ data, state Senator Middleton won the March 3 primary with 39.1% of the vote, while Roy secured 31.6%. Since no candidate achieved a majority, the top two advanced to Tuesday’s runoff.
Roy, who previously served as first assistant attorney general under current Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is seeking the Republican nomination to succeed Paxton, who is leaving office amid his Senate campaign against incumbent GOP Senator John Cornyn.
Finnerty cited betting market Kalshi showing Middleton favored by a wide margin and referenced a May University of Houston poll indicating Roy trailed by 9 percentage points. Roy dismissed these figures, arguing voters are now hearing more about his record and his opponent’s background.
“The fact is my opponent spent unlimited amounts of money that he inherited,” Roy said. “The guy has never been in a courtroom.”
Roy also noted that campaign donors helped his team “match and exceed the spending” of Middleton during the final stretch, enabling his message to reach more voters.
“They want somebody who can actually do the job on Day 1, as I have,” Roy added. “They want somebody like me who is carrying President Donald Trump’s favorite piece of legislation, the SAVE America Act.”
When asked about President Trump’s decision not to endorse in the race, Roy rejected suggestions that it reflected poorly on him or indicated a distance between the two Republicans.
“The president doesn’t get involved in every single race,” Roy stated. “I think the president lets the voters of Texas figure it out.”
Roy pointed to his work with Trump on border and immigration issues and recalled Trump recognizing him during a recent appearance in Corpus Christi.
“The president has said great things about me because we’re able to work together to deliver for the people of Texas,” Roy added. “That’s what’s going to carry the day tomorrow.”
During the interview, Roy emphasized his conservative credentials, stating that Texas Republicans want leaders committed to border security and “draining the swamp” in both Washington and Austin.
