Aaron Reitz Vows Crackdown on Harris County Corruption in Texas AG Bid

In the heated race for Texas Attorney General, Republican candidate Aaron Reitz is positioning himself as a relentless enforcer of the law, promising to shine a spotlight on what he calls systemic corruption in Harris County. The former Marine and high-ranking Justice Department official announced his candidacy in June 2025, vowing to create a dedicated task force to probe alleged misconduct in the state’s most populous county if elected in 2026.Reitz, a battle-tested conservative with deep ties to Texas’ political powerhouse, has made no secret of his disdain for what he perceives as liberal strongholds undermining the rule of law. “Harris County has become a breeding ground for corrupt officials who prioritize politics over people,” Reitz declared during a recent campaign stop in Houston. “As Attorney General, I’ll launch an immediate task force to investigate election irregularities, prosecutorial leniency, and cronyism that’s plaguing our largest urban center. No one is above the law—not DAs, not county judges, not anyone.” A San Antonio native and Afghanistan War veteran, Reitz brings an impressive resume to the March 3, 2026, Republican primary. He served as Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy under Ken Paxton, leading lawsuits against the Biden administration on issues like immigration and election integrity. After stints as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and a brief tenure as Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy under President Trump—where he was confirmed by the Senate in March 2025—Reitz resigned to return to Texas and enter the fray. His platform echoes Paxton’s combative style, earning a swift endorsement from the outgoing AG, who is retiring to pursue a U.S. Senate seat. Paxton praised Reitz as a “warrior for liberty,” while Trump himself hailed him as a “true MAGA attorney.” Reitz faces stiff competition from state Sens. Joan Huffman and Mayes Middleton, as well as U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, in what Ballotpedia has flagged as a pivotal battleground primary. Democratic operatives, dismiss Reitz’s rhetoric as partisan theater, pointing to Harris County’s diverse electorate and ongoing federal oversight of its elections. But Reitz counters that his military-honed discipline and prosecutorial experience make him uniquely suited to “drain the swamp” in Houston. “I’ve fought in Helmand Province and in courtrooms against the radical left,” he said. “Harris County is the next battlefield.” With the AG race underway, Reitz’s corruption probe pledge could galvanize conservative voters wary of urban crime spikes and voting disputes. As Texas braces for a high-stakes showdown, one thing is clear: Aaron Reitz isn’t pulling punches. If elected, Harris County officials may soon find themselves under the microscope of a task force as unyielding as the man behind it.