The Texas Race Worth Watching

Texas is currently experiencing a crucial midterm election that could have far-reaching implications for the state and its role in federal policy and national politics. The focus of the race is not the U.S. Senate contest, but rather the contest for the position of Texas Attorney General. The incumbent, Ken Paxton, has faced numerous personal and financial scandals, and is well-known for using his position to push right-wing culture-war causes.

His opponent, James Talarico, stands out as a strong and scandal-free Democratic candidate who is well-versed in the language of faith.

When it comes to the race to succeed Ken Paxton, the two major-party candidates are Nathan Johnson, a Democratic state senator from Dallas, and Mayes Middleton, a Republican state senator and major donor often referred to as "MAGA Mayes." Recent polling has shown the race to be essentially tied, with Johnson at 48% and Middleton at 47%.

The Texas Attorney General's office is a powerful position that has often served as a stepping stone to higher office. Previous holders, such as John Cornyn and Greg Abbott, went on to become U.S. senators and governors respectively. The attorney general's office is responsible for defending state laws and has specific duties, such as enforcing child support and investigating Medicaid fraud.

However, in recent decades, the role has evolved into a platform for ambitious politicians to champion culture wars and shape laws and policies not just within Texas, but across the nation.

The attorney general's office is often considered the "largest legal power in the conservative movement, nationally, period, end of story," according to Adam Piper, who leads the Republican Attorneys General Association. Former Democratic AG Ali S. Zaidi cautioned that the removal of a Republican from the Texas attorney general's office could have far-reaching consequences across the country for generations to come.

Paxton's aggressive use of the office has drawn criticism, particularly his efforts to enforce strict anti-abortion policies and his attempts to sue doctors in other states for providing abortion medication to Texas residents. The attorney general's office has also played a pivotal role in shaping abortion policy nationally.

Nathan Johnson, on the other hand, is positioning himself as a candidate who wants to restore the traditional role of the attorney general's office. He emphasizes the importance of protecting consumers from predatory business practices, investigating shady relationships between the private and public sectors, and maintaining checks and balances in government.

This more moderate approach has proven to be a smart campaign strategy in a state that is predominantly red. With the race proving to be quite close, it is clear that the outcome of this Texas contest will have significant implications for the future of the state and its influence in national politics.