John Bash, attorney to tech mogul Elon Musk and former U.S. attorney during President Trump’s first term, announced his candidacy to succeed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, becoming the first to enter the 2026 statewide race, The Hill reported.

Bash, a partner at the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, declared Wednesday that he is running for Texas attorney general. His campaign follows current Attorney General Ken Paxton’s decision to pursue a U.S. Senate seat, setting the stage for a major reshuffling in Texas Republican politics.

Bash, who served as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas under Trump, emphasized the significance of the role in a statement to The Hill:

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