Beyond the 806
Former GOP Texas Supreme Court justices back Democrat for attorney general
Two former Republican-appointed Texas Supreme Court justices are backing Democrat Nathan Johnson in his bid to unseat conservative Mayes Middleton for Texas attorney general, a race that could end the GOP's grip on an office it has held since 1998. Tom Phillips, who broke Democratic dominance on the Texas Supreme Court when he was appointed chief justice in 1987, and Deborah Hankinson, appointed by then-Gov.
Tom Phillips, who broke Democratic dominance on the Texas Supreme Court when he was appointed chief justice in 1987, and Deborah Hankinson, appointed by then-Gov. George W. Bush, both say they support Johnson's nonpartisan approach to running the attorney general's office. The seat opened up after Ken Paxton, who spent years fighting off his own legal troubles while in office, chose not to seek another term.
For Lubbock voters, this race matters because the attorney general defends state agencies and statutes against legal challenges, meaning the office shapes how Texas law actually gets enforced on everything from education to water rights to business regulation. Johnson is banking on crossover support from moderate Republicans and independents to close what has historically been a wide gap.
Several polls have Johnson within five points of Middleton, closer than most observers expected.
Common questions
Who are the former Republican justices backing the Democrat for Texas attorney general?
- Tom Phillips, who became Texas Supreme Court chief justice in 1987, and Deborah Hankinson, appointed by then-Gov. George W. Bush, are both endorsing Democrat Nathan Johnson. They say they support his nonpartisan approach to running the attorney general's office.
Why should Lubbock voters care about the Texas attorney general race?
- The attorney general defends state agencies and laws against legal challenges, which directly affects how Texas policies are enforced across the state. Republicans have held the office since 1998, and this race could be the most competitive in decades.
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