Aaron Reitz, a former aide to several top Republican figures including Ken Paxton, Ted Cruz, and Donald Trump, officially launched his campaign Thursday to become Texas' next attorney general. The announcement comes on the heels of his resignation from an appointed role in the Trump-aligned Department of Justice, a post he held for just 77 days.
In a campaign launch filled with fiery rhetoric, Reitz cast the race as nothing short of existential. “We are in a fight for the soul of Texas, our nation, and Western civilization itself,” he said in a statement. “This is no time for half-measures or untested cowards.”
Reitz emphasized his deep roots in the conservative movement, citing his past roles and political battles: “I’ve taken enemy fire from the Left in the courtroom, at the negotiating table, and in the political arena — because if we lose Texas, we lose the Republic.”
The 38-year-old attorney promises to be a hardline defender of Trump, saying he would use the attorney general’s office to “crush the radical Left, advance the America and Texas First agenda, and look out for everyday Texans.”
Conservative Credentials and Political Maneuvering
Reitz previously served as a senior aide to embattled Attorney General Ken Paxton during a turbulent period that ended with Paxton’s impeachment in 2023 — and eventual acquittal by the Texas Senate. Reitz left just before the House voted to impeach Paxton, but has remained one of his most outspoken defenders.
He then moved to Washington, D.C., where he served as chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz before being tapped earlier this year by Trump for a DOJ appointment under former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. That stint lasted just over two months, ending abruptly when Reitz decided to return to Texas and enter the AG race.
In a resignation letter posted online Wednesday, Reitz told Trump he would now serve the America First movement “in an even greater capacity” by seeking the AG post in Texas.
A Crowded — and Complicated — Republican Field
Reitz’s entrance sets up a contentious Republican primary battle. State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), a wealthy first-term senator with deep ties in the Texas GOP, entered the race earlier this year and already boasts support from over 30 sitting Texas House Republicans.
While Middleton voted to acquit Paxton during the Senate impeachment trial, his previous support for challengers to Paxton-aligned incumbents and his near-primary bid against Paxton in 2022 have put him at odds with some in the pro-Paxton wing of the party.
That dynamic sets up a key question looming over the race: Who will get Trump’s endorsement?
Reitz served directly under Trump and Cruz, but Middleton donated $100,000 to Trump’s re-election fund in 2024 and has contributed generously over the years.
Former U.S. Attorney John Bash briefly entered the race earlier this year, only to drop out in April due to a family health issue.
Several other Republican names are reportedly still mulling runs, including state Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), FEC Chairman Trey Trainor, and Rep. Mitch Little (R-Lewisville).
Reitz’s Rocky Political History
This isn’t Reitz’s first run for office. In 2020, he placed fourth in a five-person Republican primary for House District 47. He also flirted with running for state Senate in 2022 after redistricting but ultimately passed.
Now, with the full backing of some of the GOP’s most prominent national figures and a sharpened message, Reitz is betting that Republican primary voters will reward his loyalty to Trump, his conservative firepower, and his combative tone.
