Chip Roy

The battle for Texas attorney general is intensifying in the final days before the Republican runoff, with Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, receiving a major financial boost from a deep-pocketed conservative donor.

Campaign filings released Monday show Amarillo businessman Alex Fairly poured $2.75 million into a political action committee backing Roy, giving the congressman fresh momentum heading into the May 26 showdown against state Sen. Mayes Middleton.

Fairly told The New York Times that the donation was driven by the importance of the office and Roy's background.

"The nation follows this attorney general," Fairly said. "It's just a big job, a critical, important job; and I think only one guy has any experience."

Roy argued the late influx of cash would help counter Middleton's heavy self-funding operation.

"A candidate should not be able to buy this race," Roy told the outlet, adding the contribution would help "equalize the playing field."

The race is viewed as one of the most important conservative contests in the country because the Texas attorney general's office has become a leading force in legal fights against left-wing policies.

Outgoing Attorney General Ken Paxton transformed the office into a legal powerhouse for the conservative movement before launching his Senate campaign against longtime GOP Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Both Republicans have promised to continue Paxton's aggressive approach by challenging Washington policies, defending Christian values, and supporting President Donald Trump's "America First" agenda.

Roy reportedly raised nearly $8 million during the latest reporting period, while Middleton brought in $5.7 million, including more than $3 million from his personal fortune.

Middleton has spent heavily portraying himself as a staunch Trump ally under the slogan "MAGA Mayes," while targeting Roy for previous disagreements with the president.

Trump has not endorsed either candidate.

Roy has instead emphasized his record as a conservative willing to confront both Democrats and the GOP establishment.

"You want to know why I'm a pain in the butt to a lot of the people in Washington?" Roy said at a recent Tea Party event. "It's because I said I would fight."

Middleton has campaigned on his conservative legislative record, highlighting measures supporting school prayer and cracking down on sexually explicit books in schools.

"They call me a Christian nationalist all the time," Middleton said. "I love the Lord, and I love America. So what?"

At a recent San Antonio rally, Roy warned supporters that the election represented a broader battle over the future of Texas and the country.

"Everything we love is at stake. Everything we hold dear is being attacked," Roy said.

He added, "We're not going to let it happen. We're going to defend Texas as they did on the walls of the Alamo."