Aaron Reitz Announces Run for Texas Attorney General, Championing Conservative Principles
Aaron Reitz, a former U.S. Department of Justice senior official and prominent Texas conservative, launched his campaign for Texas Attorney General on Thursday. Stepping down from his Trump-appointed role as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy a day earlier, Reitz aims to advance the “America First” agenda and defend Texas’ values in a competitive Republican primary.
“We’re fighting for the soul of Texas, our nation, and Western civilization,” Reitz said in his announcement. “If we lose Texas, we lose the Republic” [2]. His candidacy, anticipated after recent speculation, positions him to succeed Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate against John Cornyn [3].
A Proven Conservative Fighter
A former U.S. Marine Corps officer with a combat tour in Afghanistan, Reitz brings a robust background to the race. Holding degrees from Texas A&M University and the University of Texas School of Law, he served as Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy under Paxton and as Chief of Staff to Senator Ted Cruz [4]. At the Texas Attorney General’s Office, Reitz led lawsuits against the Biden administration, including an unsuccessful challenge to the 2020 election results in four battleground states [5].
At the DOJ, Reitz targeted corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, earning praise from former President Donald Trump, who called him a “true MAGA warrior” during his December 2024 nomination [6]. Confirmed by the Senate in March 2025 on a party-line vote, Reitz solidified his influence in conservative legal circles [7].
His campaign website highlights his experience in “our state’s and nation’s toughest battles,” vowing to secure the border, support Trump’s policies, and combat “wokeness” [2]. In a 2021 podcast, Reitz described the Attorney General’s office as waging “lawfare” against threats to the American order, a stance shaping his candidacy [8].
Navigating a Crowded Primary
Reitz is the second major contender, following State Senator Mayes Middleton, a Galveston Republican who entered in April [9]. Middleton’s legislative experience contrasts with Reitz’s limited electoral record; his 2020 bid for Texas House District 47 earned less than 15% of the primary vote [10]. Yet, Reitz’s ties to Paxton, Cruz, and Trump, bolstered by endorsements from FBI Director Kash Patel, give him traction among activists [11].
Patel called Reitz “a relentless advocate for law and order,” while Attorney General Pam Bondi praised his DOJ contributions to “Make America Safe Again” [12]. These endorsements align Reitz with the Trump-aligned GOP wing, a key primary advantage.
The race has seen shifts. John Bash, an attorney for Elon Musk, briefly joined but withdrew last week due to a family health issue [13]. Federal Election Commission Chairman James E. “Trey” Trainor, a Trump ally, is reportedly considering a run, potentially splitting the pro-Trump vote [14]. Trainor criticized Reitz’s DOJ resignation as disloyalty to Trump’s agenda, signaling early tensions [15].
Reitz’s Agenda for Texas
Reitz pledges to wield the Texas Attorney General’s office—described on his website as the nation’s most critical state AG office—to advance conservative priorities [2]. His platform includes:
• Collaborating with the Trump administration on “mass deportations and robust border security.”
• Cracking down on “Soros-backed district attorneys” and addressing election fraud.
• Protecting constitutional rights and eradicating “woke indoctrination” [2].
His military service, legal acumen, and confrontational style appeal to voters seeking a Paxton-style conservative. In a 2019 Ballotpedia survey, Reitz emphasized low taxes, pro-life policies, and shielding Texas from “California’s path,” themes likely to resurface [16].
Opportunities and Obstacles
Reitz’s conservative credentials and Trump’s backing are strengths, but challenges remain. His limited electoral success and recent DOJ exit may invite criticism, with opponents like Trainor questioning his commitment [15]. Middleton’s legislative record and local ties could outshine Reitz’s national profile in a grassroots-driven primary [9].
Still, Reitz’s focus on border security and law enforcement aligns with GOP voter priorities. His ability to rally the conservative legal movement, as noted by The Texas Tribune, could fuel a strong campaign [17].
Shaping Texas’ Future
As Reitz campaigns, he has a chance to build on Paxton’s legacy of challenging federal overreach and liberal policies. His success will hinge on uniting Trump supporters and grassroots conservatives in a packed primary.
For more on Reitz’s campaign, visit his official website. Updates on the Texas Attorney General race are available at The Texas Tribune or other trusted news sources.
References
1. DOJ Press Release, June 11, 2025
2. Reitz for Texas Campaign Website
3. The Texas Tribune, May 2025: Paxton Senate Run
4. LinkedIn Profile: Aaron Reitz
5. SCOTUSblog, December 2020: Texas v. Pennsylvania
6. White House Archives, December 2024: Trump Nominations
7. Congress.gov, March 2025: Senate Confirmation Records
8. Texas Conservative Review Podcast, July 2021
9. Texas Senate: Mayes Middleton Campaign Announcement
10. Texas Secretary of State: 2020 Primary Results
11. Patel Statement, June 2025
12. Bondi Press Release, June 2025
13. Austin American-Statesman, June 2025: Bash Withdrawal
14. Politico, June 2025: Trainor Considers AG Run
15. Trainor Interview, Newsweek, June 2025