Texas GOP AG Hopeful Opposed Tough On Crime Bills

Republican Texas State Senator Mayes Middleton voted against key bills on law enforcement protections, child sex trafficking, and deporting illegal immigrants.

Middleton is currently running for Texas attorney general (AG) against Republican Texas Rep. Chip Roy to replace Republican AG Ken Paxton, who is running for the U.S Senate. (RELATED: Chip Roy Enters Crowded Race To Replace Ken Paxton As Texas’ Top Prosecutor)

During his two terms in the Texas state legislature, Middleton voted against measures designed to protect police, combat child tax trafficking, protect victims of family violence, and make it easier to deport illegal aliens. Middleton served two terms in the House (2019 – 2022) and has been in the Senate since 2023.

Just a year ago, Mayes Middleton was introducing legislation that would open the door to Sharia developments and strip local control to block it. We can’t win a war we don’t recognize we’re in.

Texas cannot fall. Texas needs an experienced and aggressive AG who understands the… pic.twitter.com/SGkXORVWwK

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) April 8, 2026

During the 2021 session of the Texas Legislature, eight related bills passed the House with strong bipartisan majorities. Six of the measures were later signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.

State Rep. Mayes Middleton voted against one of the bills, which increased criminal penalties for certain offenses committed against public servants, including police officers.

The legislation received support from law enforcement organizations, including testimony from representatives of the Dallas Police Association, the Game Warden Peace Officers Association, the Houston and San Antonio police departments, and the San Antonio Police Officers Association.

Middleton was also one of 18 members voting against HB 1306, which made assault or aggravated assault on a process server — including county constables — a felony when committed against a person known to be serving in that role.

The bill passed the Texas House 126-18, with a related vote recorded at 130-15, and was signed into law. (RELATED: Supreme Court Allows Texas To Use New Map)

In addition, Middleton voted against legislation that extended existing address protections for peace officers to prosecutors. The bill allowed prosecutors to use an alternative address on their driver’s licenses to help protect their home addresses from potential harm. It was signed into law by Abbott.

All of the bills were considered during the 2021 regular session.

Just a year ago, Mayes Middleton was introducing legislation that would open the door to Sharia developments and strip local control to block it. We can’t win a war we don’t recognize we’re in.

Texas cannot fall. Texas needs an experienced and aggressive AG who understands the… pic.twitter.com/SGkXORVWwK

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) April 8, 2026

In 2023, Middleton voted against  HB 1826, which created a statewide task force to study the impact of organized retail theft in Texas and provide recommendations to address it. The bill passed the Senate 28-3 and was signed into law by the governor.

During his time in both the Texas House and Senate, the Texas state senator also voted against measures that expanded how the state classifies affirmative findings of family violence and their potential consequences.

In 2019, he voted against HB 3824, which expanded the offenses for which a court must enter an “affirmative finding of family violence in the judgment,” according to a bill analysis document.  The bill passed the House 118-24 and was signed into law.

Such findings can have immigration consequences, including potential deportation for non-citizens convicted of certain offenses.

As a state senator in 2023, Middleton voted against HB 1432, which made it easier for victims of family violence to obtain a protective order by removing the requirement that the court find family violence is likely to occur in the future. The bill passed the Senate 30-1 and was signed into law by Abbott.

During his time in the Texas House, Middleton also voted against two measures aimed at addressing child sex trafficking.

FULL SPEECH: Texas State Senator Mayes Middleton Addresses CPAC 2026 – 03/26/26 pic.twitter.com/JGlPUPFA3p

— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBNetwork) March 26, 2026

In 2019, he voted against HB 1113, which created a state-led initiative to combat child sex trafficking and prohibited the state from contracting with vendors known to support or promote human trafficking.

The bill passed the House 134-9 and was signed into law. It received support from law enforcement, including the Houston Police Department. (RELATED: Longtime GOP Senator Lives To Fight Another Day, But Foe Will Have One More Shot To Oust Him)

In 2021, Middleton voted against HB 2633, which created a grant program to provide dedicated shelter for victims of child sex trafficking. The bill passed the House 114-27 and was signed into law. It also received support from the Houston Police Department.

Middleton will face off against Roy in the Republican runoff election for Texas AG on May 26.

The Daily Caller reached out to Middleton twice for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.