Aaron Reitz

Aaron Reitz served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2009 to 2014 and in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve beginning in 2014. He earned a B.S. from Texas A&M University and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. Reitz’s career experience includes working as an officer in the Marine Corps, as a law clerk for Texas Supreme Court Justice Jimmy Blacklock, and as an attorney in private practice.[2][3]

Reitz has served as Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy under Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and as Chief of Staff for Senator Ted Cruz.[3]

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased September 9, 2025

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a Christian, husband, father of four, U.S. Marine, and lifelong conservative fighter who has spent my career on the front lines of lawfare combat. I married my high school sweetheart, and together we’re raising our family in Central Texas. I joined the Marine Corps out of a deep sense of duty, serving in Afghanistan and swearing an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic—a promise I’ve carried with me into every role since.

After my military service, I dedicated my career to defending Texas and conservative values in the legal and political arena. I served as Ken Paxton’s Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy, where I led Texas’s biggest fights on border security, election integrity, and constitutional freedoms. I later served as Chief of Staff to Senator Ted Cruz and was appointed by President Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to run the Office of Legal Policy at the Department of Justice, where I helped shape national legal strategy and advance the America First justice agenda.

In every chapter of my life, I’ve fought for the principles that keep Texas strong: faith, family, freedom, and the rule of law. I’m not a career politician; I’m a Texan who knows our state and nation are worth defending with everything I have. My record proves I know how to win the battles that matter most, and I’m ready to keep serving Texans with the same grit, conviction, and integrity that have guided me my entire life.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

My campaign is all about advancing an America First Law & Order agenda that puts Texans’ freedoms, rights, safety, and sovereignty first. As Attorney General, I will use every tool at my disposal to secure the border, protect jobs, defend constitutional rights, and push back against the radical left’s attempts to remake our state. By going on offense in the courts, I will make sure Texas remains the stronghold of Liberty and the Rule of Law in America.Securing our southern border is non-negotiable. I will relentlessly pursue legal action against anyone aiding illegal immigration, target the cartels driving human and drug trafficking, and back law enforcement with every tool available. As a former senior Trump DOJ official, I am uniquely positioned to partner with the White House to accelerate operations that identify, arrest, detain, and deport illegal aliens. Restoring border security will protect Texas families, strengthen our economy, and preserve our state’s sovereignty.I will root out corruption and stop far-left local governments from undermining Texas values. Rogue officials will be held accountable, radical policies blocked, and the far left prevented from steering our state into the ditch. By defending the Constitution and enforcing the rule of law, Texas will remain strong, free, and firmly grounded in the principles that built America.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about driving forward the America First Law-and-Order Agenda. That means securing our border and protecting Texas sovereignty, rooting out corruption wherever it hides, and stopping radical blue city and county governments from dragging Texas into the ditch. It means advancing the Constitution, restoring the rule of law, defending families, and protecting kids from the Left’s reckless experiments. At every turn, my focus is simple: keep Texas strong, free, safe, and firmly planted on conservative principles.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The Attorney General’s office is both a shield and a sword for Texas. I will defend our state from the radical left, enforce our laws, and protect Texas values proactively before they’re eroded.

The National Association of Attorneys General has described the office as being at the "intersection of law and public policy." What does that mean to you?

It means using the law strategically to shape public policy, protect freedoms, and set legal precedents. I’ve done this as AG Paxton’s “offensive coordinator,” which is why I earned his full endorsement to succeed him.

The attorney general often sets policy priorities for law enforcement. For example, a state's attorney general may decide to dedicate extra resources to combat human trafficking. Are there certain areas of law enforcement that you would emphasize?

I back law enforcement 100%. I will crack down on violent crime, prosecute corruption, and fight cartel-driven trafficking and immigration threatening Texas communities.

A state's attorney general has many responsibilities. Which of those do you personally consider the most important?

The AG must act as a legal firewall for Texas. I will defend the Constitution, hold criminals and corrupt officials accountable, and use every tool to stop the radical left from reshaping our state.

Attorneys general can represent their states in legal conflicts with the federal government. Do you consider this an important part of an attorney general's responsibilities?

Absolutely. I will go on offense against bureaucratic and deep state overreach, protect Texas sovereignty, challenge unlawful mandates, and defend federalism—all while leveraging my experience as a former Trump DOJ official.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for a state's attorney general to have previous experience in government or politics?

Experience matters. I’ve served as a Marine Officer, Attorney General Paxton’s Deputy, Chief of Staff to Senator Ted Cruz, and senior Trump DOJ executive. I bring proven leadership, real-world results, and the battle scars necessary to lead Texas’s Attorney General Office from Day One.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Core Book: Bible. Non-Fiction: Anything by Patrick Buchanan. Fiction: Starship Troopers or Blood Meridian. Film: Gladiator.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Courage, energy, integrity, and loyalty to the Constitution and Rule of Law. I keep my word, take bold stands for Texans, and make every decision grounded in law, limited government, God-given rights, and an America First, MAGA philosophy.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The Texas Attorney General must defend our Constitution and protect freedom. I will enforce state law, safeguard Texas sovereignty, and challenge lawbreakers everywhere they may be found. President Trump called me a “true MAGA attorney” and “warrior for our Constitution” for this very reason.

What legacy would you like to leave?

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What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

9/11 happened when I was a Freshman in High School, and it set me on a trajectory I hadn't considered till then: Service in the United States Marine Corps.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Lifeguard in San Antonio. Summer 2003.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Major endorsements include: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, The National Border Patrol Council, Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC)

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I stand with President Trump: no official is above the law. I will ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, public records remain open, and government accountability is enforced at every level.

Campaign websiteReitz's campaign website stated the following:Fight Alongside President TrumpThe Texas Attorney General oversees a team of 600 lawyers making it the single most important state attorney general office in the country to advance the America First Agenda. I will ensure the full weight of the Office of the Attorney General is behind President Trump and his agenda by filing briefs in support of the Administration, working with executive branch agencies to provide state support, intervene in the endless stream of blue state lawfare against President Trump, and ensure Texas is on the frontlines in state legal battles to defend the MAGA movement. This is how we will defend the sovereignty of the United States at our southern border, preserve Texans’ Constitutional rights, eradicate wokeness in all its forms, and ensure every Texan has a chance to succeed.

Clean Up Democrats’ Border MessWhen Joe Biden and Kamala Harris allowed the United States to be invaded by millions of illegal aliens, I fought back. First, I helped the state of Texas successfully sue the Biden Administration numerous times to stem the flood of illegal immigrants and give Texas time to mount its own defense through Operation Lone Star. I also led dozens of lawsuits to defend our border and stop the flood of illegal aliens, where we successfully curbed Biden’s efforts to halt deportations, dissolve the Remain-in-Mexico program, end border wall construction, abuse parole and asylum law, and overwhelm the nation with illegal aliens.

Later, as Senator Cruz’s Chief of Staff, I worked tirelessly on the Justice for Jocelyn Act, a bill named after Jocelyn Nungaray, a twelve-year-old girl from Houston who was brutally murdered by an illegal alien who entered the country on Democrats’ watch. The bill codifies tougher detention standards and tracking measures for illegal aliens.

Now, with President Trump back in office, illegal border crossings have plummeted. But there is work to be done. Millions of illegals are still roaming the United States thanks to the Biden Border Crisis.

As Attorney General, I will work with the Trump Administration to support their mass deportation operations, shut down fentanyl trafficking, and crackdown on illegal alien crime. I’ll also utilize all legal mechanisms to ensure taxpayer dollars, at both the federal and state level, are not going to aliens. Never again should veterans have to take a backseat to illegals, or taxpayers be on the hook for migrant hotel rooms while Americans’ housing costs are rising.

The Office of the Attorney General of Texas receives millions of dollars every year in settlement money and I’ll fight to ensure that a portion of that goes to the families of alien crime victims and Texans who have had their property damaged by illegals. I also use the office to investigate any organization in Texas that attempts to illegally harbor or assist illegal immigration.

Defeat Woke IdeologyThe radical left worships woke. The rest of us in the real world cannot stand that garbage.

As Texas’s next Attorney General, I’ll make sure we destroy the woke ideology for good. No more drag shows for kids. No more teaching schoolchildren that America is evil and racist. No more confusing children by telling them there are more than two genders or that they can be different than the one God made them to be through abusive medical intervention. No more allowing biological males to dominate females’ athletic competitions. Indoctrination and insanity are over. Common sense is back.

I’ll fight to protect girls’ sports, uphold parents’ rights to know what is happening at their kids’ schools, prevent schools from pushing far-left curriculum, and go after companies peddling division and discrimination under the guise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Above all, I will stop the sexualization of kids and vigorously enforce Texas laws that ban so-called gender transitions and puberty blockers for minors.

I’ve litigated and investigated woke ideology and rooted it out in Big Tech, Big Government, Wall Street, school districts, and deep-blue cities and counties flouting state law. As Texas Attorney General, I’ll redouble those efforts and root all the radical-left nonsense out of Texas once and for all.

Secure Our ElectionsIn 2020, Attorney General Paxton and I orchestrated Texas’s strategy to challenge the constitutionality of the stolen election. Too many Republicans around the country were afraid to step up, but I was proud to answer the call because, regardless of how difficult it is, the right thing to do is always the right thing to do.

The same Democrats who lied about Biden’s mental fitness, Covid, Russia collusion, and so many other liberal deception campaigns also want to tell you that there is no voter fraud in the United States. That’s false. Fraud happens every cycle—including in Texas.

I know this because I led the Attorney General’s Election Integrity Teams in both the 2020 and 2022 cycles, where I coordinated plaintiff- and defense-side litigation, investigations, and law enforcement against bad actors in each of the major counties in Texas. As Attorney General, I’ll work to ensure Texas has the most secure elections in America, from our small towns to our big cities. There will be no safe harbor for those who violate one of the most sacred rights we have as citizens of the United States.

Uphold Law and OrderTexas is a state of law and order. Everyday folks here do not believe in coddling criminals. The government’s primary job is to keep citizens safe. That’s exactly what we are going to do. As Attorney General, I’ll throw the book at violent criminals, crack down on gang activity, ramp up anti-human trafficking operations, provide additional resources to unleash law enforcement on child predators, and stand unapologetically with law enforcement. In recent years we have seen an uptick in assaults on police officers. Let me be perfectly clear: if a criminal attacks one of our officers, I’ll work day and night to ensure they receive the toughest punishment possible.

Furthermore, as Attorney General, I will not rest until we hold Soros-backed District Attorneys and soft-on-crime judges accountable for their roles in allowing violent criminals to roam our streets and terrorize our communities. No official in Texas is allowed to pick and choose which law he or she enforces. And no judge has the right to put innocent Texans in harm’s way because they are more loyal to a liberal ideology than they are to the families they are duty-bound to protect.

Additionally, on my watch there will be no completion of EPIC (East Plano Islamic Center) City—a hotbed of so-called Sharia Law—or any projects like it in the future. This community is discriminatory on its face and, in violation of Texas law, could be a breeding ground for sharia law, which has absolutely zero place in the Lone Star State.

Defend Texas From Bad ActorsEvery Texan deserves a fair shot to build the life they want. Sadly, the truth of the matter is that’s not always the case for a lot of hardworking people. Too often, politicians, bureaucrats, Big Business, and criminal scammers think they can push the little guy around.Investigate waste, fraud and abuse in the state governmentHold Big Pharma accountableStop large food companies from knowingly selling Texans food with harmful ingredientsSue Big Tech to put an end to censorship and to force these massive companies to protect kids onlineBring legal action against big corporations—from insurance companies to financial institutions to utility companies—that harm consumers.Price rigging, privacy violations, antitrust violations and false advertising will not be tolerated.I have deep experience in all these areas as a President Trump’s Justice Department official, Senator Cruz’s Chief, and Attorney General Paxton’s Deputy. My record speaks for itself, and you can trust I’ll get it done.

Preserve Our Constitutional RightsWhen I joined the Marines, I took an oath to defend the United States Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic. The principles enshrined in that document were ones for which I was willing to lay down my life. As the next Attorney General of Texas, my pledge remains the same. I will stand as the tip of the spear to ensure Texas is the freest state in America.

I am a firm believer in states’ rights which is why I managed the effort of the Office of the Attorney General to sue the Biden Administration dozens of times. Not only did we fight for Texas’s sovereignty, but we won time and again. “Aaron…was previously Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Deputy, where he led dozens of successful lawsuits against the lawless and crooked Biden Administration. Aaron is a true MAGA attorney [and] a warrior for our Constitution,” said President Trump when he nominated me.

I am an unapologetic believer in the sanctity of life and am 100% pro-life. The radical left’s pro-abortion agenda has no place in Texas and I stand ready to prosecute violations of Texas’ laws protecting unborn children. In fact, I’ve already done it: As Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy, I coordinated the effort to stop Biden’s federal government and Democrats’ in-state local governments from violating Texas’s pro-life laws and undermining the Supreme Court’s pro-life cases.

And I will never let the radical left take away Texans’ guns. Any attempt to ban certain firearms, limit magazine capacity, get rid of silencers and stabilizing braces, implement red flag laws, and expand the number of gun-free zones will be met with forceful pushback from the state of Texas when I am Attorney General.

And don’t just take my word for it: From the First Amendment’s religion and speech rights, to the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms, to the Tenth Amendment’s states’ rights, and everything in between, I’ve litigated, defended, appealed, written, or otherwise led on all these issues in a way that defends Texans’ liberties. My record speaks for itself.— Aaron Reitz's campaign website (November 20, 2025)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Christian. Husband. Father. Marine. Conservative. Republican.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Preserve Texas's vibrant economic climate through low taxes and light regulations.Make our schools and communities saferGive our children a first-class education

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Economic opportunity, educational opportunity, pro-life, pro-Constitution, pro-rule of law, and reining in out-of-control, big-city liberal cities that are taking Texas down the same path California stumbled down a few decades ago.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Lifeguard!

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Ensuring our big cities don't take Texas down the same path California fell down a few decades ago.