The conservative firebrand and former top aide to Sen. Ted Cruz has been a thorn in the side of Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson. Trump had called for a primary challenge against Roy.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday endorsed Aaron Reitz, his former deputy attorney general for legal strategy, to replace him in the statewide office as he runs for the Senate, days after Rep.

Rep. Chip Roy announced a bid for Texas attorney general on Thursday, seeking to replace Ken Paxton in an already crowded Republican primary field. Roy, a Freedom Caucus member, has an antagonistic history with most of his party’s leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump.