Democrats Eye Attorney General Bids Georgia, Texas Amid GOP Shifts

Democrats in Georgia and Texas are positioning themselves to challenge Republican incumbents for the attorney general offices, which have been GOP strongholds for decades. In Georgia, former House Minority Leader Bob Trammell is exploring a run to replace Republican Chris Carr, while in Texas, state Sen. Nathan Johnson will announce a bid to replace Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the U.S. Senate; both states have not elected a Democratic attorney general in many years. Meanwhile, in DeKalb County, Georgia, a staunch election denier, Gail Lee, has been appointed to the county's board of registration and elections, sparking criticism from voting rights advocates who warn this move undermines election integrity. In South Dakota, the attorney general’s office will be open in 2026 following Marty Jackley’s congressional run, attracting multiple Republican candidates interested in the role. Additionally, Georgia’s 2026 elections are already seeing activity with candidates filing for state legislative seats, including Republicans emphasizing conservative and America First policies, signaling intensifying political contests at both state and local levels. These developments highlight the ongoing partisan battles for key legal and legislative positions in several states ahead of the 2026 election cycle.