State Attorney General Races Draw Record Funding in 2026 Midterms

With control of Congress on the ballot in November, state attorney general races are gaining prominence, attracting significant financial support from partisan groups, corporate interests, and advocacy networks. These contests, often overshadowed by higher-profile elections, are playing an increasingly crucial role in American politics.

Record Fundraising for 2026 Attorney General Races

Republican organizations dedicated to these contests reported raising a record $29 million in preparation for the 2026 midterms. Democratic counterparts announced $28 million in fundraising, double the amount typically raised at this stage of the election cycle. Approximately 30 attorney general seats are up for election this year.

Corporate and Ideological Influence

Money is flowing into these races from various sources, including technology companies, tobacco companies, law firms, unions, and ideological groups. This influx reflects the growing importance of the attorney general’s office in national policy and as a stepping stone for higher office. These entities could face scrutiny from state attorneys general.

The Rising Stature of the Attorney General

James Tierney, a former Maine attorney general and current Harvard instructor, explained, “Because we try to solve so many of our problems with lawsuits, the office of attorney general has turn into more important.”

Attorney Generals as Political Springboards

The attorney general position is increasingly seen as a key stepping stone to higher office. At least six current attorneys general are running for governor this year. Ten current governors previously held the position of attorney general, including three elected in 2024. Kamala Harris, a former California attorney general, was a presidential candidate in 2024, with three former attorneys general serving as governors among the finalists to be her running mate: Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Former President Donald Trump’s attorney general, Pam Bondi, previously served in the same role in Florida.

Republican Strategy and Key Races

Adam Piper, executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association, noted that the political potential of the office is attracting increased donor interest. “The AGs used to be the underdogs in the races for top-of-the-ballot offices,” he said. “Now, they’re the favorite in them.”

Priority races for Republican organizations are in swing states such as Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin, where Democrats won in 2022. Democrats are targeting potential gains in Republican-leaning Georgia, Kansas, and Ohio. Republicans are aiming for pickups in Minnesota and New York.

Texas Attorney General Race

In Texas, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and state Sen. Mayes Middleton are competing in a May 26 runoff for the Republican nomination for attorney general. The current officeholder, Ken Paxton, is in a runoff for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate against incumbent John Cornyn, also a former attorney general. Paxton gained attention for being acquitted of corruption charges and for his investigations into gender-affirming care and abortion cases, even across state lines.

Roy and Middleton have both pledged to address what they describe as the “Islamification” of Texas. Middleton stated he would investigate financier George Soros if elected. Roy emphasized the advantage of focusing on state-level issues, stating, “I’ll be one of one instead of one of 435 (members of the U.S. House) fighting for you.”

The Democratic runoff in Texas features state Sen. Nathan Johnson and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski. A Democratic victory statewide would be considered an upset.

Lawsuits Against the Trump Administration

A coalition of 24 Democratic officials – 22 attorneys general and two governors – recently sued the Trump administration over tariffs. Since Trump’s return to office, Democratic officials have filed over 80 lawsuits against the administration, with favorable rulings in the majority of cases, according to the Progressive State Leaders Committee.

Sean Rankin, president of the Democratic Attorneys General Association, stated that his members are “the only lever to hold Trump accountable” due to Congressional compliance with the administration.

Arizona Attorney General Race

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat who won her seat by a narrow margin of 280 votes in 2022, has joined 38 lawsuits against the administration, claiming they have saved Arizona $1.5 billion. She initiated criminal charges against Kalshi, a prediction market company, alleging illegal gambling.

Republican candidate Rodney Glassman has criticized Mayes’s lawsuits as “clickbait” and politically motivated. He has pledged to halt the criminal prosecutions pursued by Mayes against Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, and others involved in challenging the 2020 election results. State Senate President Warren Peterson is also competing for the Republican nomination.