GOP megadonor Alex Fairly has made a substantial contribution of $2.75 million to U.S. Representative Chip Roy’s campaign for attorney general. This significant financial boost comes as early voting commences in Roy’s runoff against state Senator Mayes Middleton.
The donation, disclosed by Fairly, positions the Amarillo businessman as Roy’s primary benefactor. Since the runoff began, Fairly has provided $1.75 million in new funding and has forgiven a previous loan of $1 million made during the primary stage.
This financial support arrives at a pivotal moment in Roy’s bid for the Republican nomination against Middleton, a Galveston oil and gas executive who has invested more than $15 million of his own funds into his campaign. Much of this self-funding was utilized before the initial voting round in March, allowing Middleton to secure a first-place finish. Since neither candidate achieved over 50% of the vote, they will compete again on May 26.
Middleton has adopted a “MAGA Mayes” campaign theme and significantly outspent Roy in advertising leading up to the March 3 election, with ad buys exceeding Roy’s $5 million. This disparity enabled Middleton to surpass Roy’s earlier lead in polling.
However, the financial landscape has shifted, with Roy now surpassing Middleton in spending for the runoff by over a million dollars, according to AdImpact, a media tracking firm. Both candidates are anticipated to escalate their financial commitments in the days ahead, with Fairly’s contribution facilitating more substantial advertising efforts.
Fairly, who has established a unique position within the GOP donor community, expressed his engagement in the race stems from the importance of the Texas attorney general’s office for both the state and the nation. “The nation’s attorneys general follow Texas, so experience and preparation matter,” he stated. “Chip is the only one in the race who is able and prepared to do the job.”
While Middleton holds a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin, his professional experience has been primarily within his family’s oil and gas enterprise, which he took over in 2013. He claims his role involves civil litigation, but Roy has emphasized his more extensive legal experience.
Roy has previously held a senior position at the agency he now aims to lead, serving as Attorney General Ken Paxton’s top deputy upon taking office in 2015. He has been involved in legal battles against the Obama administration and has experience in handling criminal cases as an assistant U.S. attorney. Additionally, Roy has acted as a senior adviser to Governor Rick Perry and Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn before securing four terms in Congress representing a Central Texas district.
Middleton has criticized Roy for his contentious relationships with GOP leaders, including Paxton and former President Donald Trump. Roy has previously remarked that Trump displayed “clearly impeachable conduct” during the events of January 6, 2021, and has obstructed some of the president’s legislative initiatives due to concerns over spending.
Trump has characterized Roy as “not easy, but he’s good,” a sentiment echoed by Fairly. He noted that while Roy might frustrate some people at times, he is “unbelievably principled.”
Recently, several party leaders have begun to publicly support Middleton. In leaked audio, Paxton indicated he would vote for Middleton over Roy, although he has not formally endorsed anyone in the runoff. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who backs Middleton, has voiced criticisms of Roy on social media, asserting that Middleton is a “proven, unapologetic MAGA conservative.”
“Mayes Middleton will work hand-in-hand with the Governor, the Legislature, the Department of Justice, and President Trump to make the Texas Attorney General’s office the strongest in the nation — relentlessly defending our laws and our Constitution,” Patrick stated online.
Fairly acknowledged his personal regard for Middleton and considers Patrick a friend, yet he believes Patrick’s endorsement misses a vital point. “All these people say Mayes is a great guy and he’s always worked with us. But that’s a point that isn’t on the center of the bullseye, which is, are you ready, able and equipped to do the job?” he remarked.
