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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Chip Roy
| name = Chip Roy
| birth_name   = Charles Eugene Roy
| birth_name = Charles Eugene Roy
| image       = Chip Roy 118th Congress.jpg
| image = Chip Roy 118th Congress.jpg
| caption     = Official portrait, 2022
| caption = Official portrait, 2022
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1972|8|7}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|8|7}}
| birth_place = [[Bethesda, Maryland]], U.S.
| birth_place = Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
| nationality  = American
| party = Republican
| party        = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| children = 2
| education   = [[University of Virginia]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]], [[Master of Science|MS]])<br>[[University of Texas at Austin]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| education = University of Virginia (BS, MS)<br>University of Texas at Austin (JD)
| occupation   = Attorney, politician
| occupation = Attorney, politician
| known_for   = U.S. Representative for [[Texas's 21st congressional district]]; chief of staff to Senator [[Ted Cruz]]; first assistant attorney general of Texas
| known_for = U.S. Representative for Texas's 21st congressional district; House Freedom Caucus policy chair
| children    = 2
| title = Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 21st district
| awards      =  
| term_start = January 3, 2019
| website      =  
| predecessor = Lamar Smith
}}
}}


'''Charles Eugene "Chip" Roy''' (born August 7, 1972) is an American attorney and politician who has served as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for [[Texas's 21st congressional district]] since January 3, 2019. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], Roy rose to prominence in Texas conservative politics through a series of senior staff positions in state and federal government before winning elected office. He served as chief of staff to U.S. Senator [[Ted Cruz]], as a senior adviser to Texas Governor [[Rick Perry]], and as the first assistant attorney general of Texas under [[Ken Paxton]]. In Congress, Roy has served as policy chair of the [[House Freedom Caucus]] and has established a reputation for confrontational legislative tactics, including willingness to break with his own party and with President [[Donald Trump]] on matters of spending, immigration, and procedural governance.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-17 |title=Congressional obstructionist Chip Roy vies for Texas AG job |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/17/chip-roy-attorney-general-texas-primary-2026-paxton-trump/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In August 2025, Roy announced his candidacy for [[Texas Attorney General]] in the 2026 elections, setting off an open race for his congressional seat.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-21 |title=15 candidates are fighting to replace Chip Roy in rare open congressional seat |url=https://www.kut.org/politics/2026-02-21/texas-congressional-district-21-chip-roy-primary-election-candidates-guide |work=KUT |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''Charles Eugene "Chip" Roy''' (born August 7, 1972) is an American attorney and politician who has served as the [[U.S. representative]] for [[Texas's 21st congressional district]] since January 3, 2019. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], Roy built a career in conservative legal and political circles before entering elected office, serving as chief of staff to U.S. Senator [[Ted Cruz]], as [[first assistant attorney general of Texas]] under [[Ken Paxton]], and in various roles within the administration of Texas Governor [[Rick Perry]]. In Congress, Roy has served as policy chair of the [[House Freedom Caucus]] and has positioned himself within the most conservative faction of the [[House Republican Conference]]. Known for his willingness to challenge both Democratic and Republican leadership on matters of government spending and federal authority, Roy has at times broken with his own party, including publicly criticizing former President [[Donald Trump]] on specific policy and procedural matters. In August 2025, Roy announced his candidacy for [[Texas Attorney General]] in the 2026 elections, a decision that opened a competitive race for his congressional seat, which drew fifteen candidates.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-24 |title=Open Congressional District 21 Sees 15 Candidates to Succeed Congressman Chip Roy |url=https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/open-congressional-district-21-sees-15-candidates-to-succeed-congressman-chip-roy/article_bae3b40c-f4fd-4efd-8d05-03058a3973f5.html |work=The Texan |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His campaign for attorney general has drawn national attention, with his past disagreements with Trump becoming a significant issue in the Republican primary.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-18 |title=Trump looms over Texas attorney general race |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/18/maga-purity-test-plays-out-in-texas-attorney-general-race-00786750 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Chip Roy was born Charles Eugene Roy on August 7, 1972, in [[Bethesda, Maryland]].<ref name="statesman">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2018-05-07 |title=Chip Roy, conservative, runs in shadow of Cruz |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20180507/chip-roy-conservative-runs-in-shadow-of-cruz |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Details about his family background and upbringing in Maryland are limited in available sources. Roy later relocated to [[Virginia]] for his undergraduate and graduate studies before eventually settling in [[Texas]], where he built his career in law and politics.
Chip Roy was born Charles Eugene Roy on August 7, 1972, in Bethesda, Maryland.<ref name="statesman">{{cite news |date=2018-05-07 |title=Chip Roy, conservative, runs in shadow of Cruz |url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20180507/chip-roy-conservative-runs-in-shadow-of-cruz |work=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Details regarding his upbringing and family background prior to his higher education have not been extensively documented in available public sources. Roy would later settle in Texas, where he built his professional career in law and politics and raised his family, eventually making his home in the Austin area within the boundaries of Texas's 21st congressional district.


== Education ==
== Education ==


Roy attended the [[University of Virginia]], where he earned both a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree and a [[Master of Science]] degree. He subsequently enrolled at the [[University of Texas School of Law]] in [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], where he obtained his [[Juris Doctor]] degree.<ref name="statesman" /><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2018-10-08 |title=Chip Roy is betting on desire for change in Washington to get elected to Congress |url=https://thedailytexan.com/2018/10/08/chip-roy-is-betting-on-desire-for-change-in-washington-to-get-elected-to-congress/ |work=The Daily Texan |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His legal training at the University of Texas would prove foundational to his later roles in the Texas Attorney General's office and his legislative career in Congress.
Roy attended the [[University of Virginia]], where he earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree.<ref name="statesman" /> He subsequently enrolled at the [[University of Texas School of Law]] in Austin, where he earned his Juris Doctor (JD) degree.<ref name="statesman" /> His legal education at the University of Texas positioned him for a career that would intertwine legal practice with public policy and conservative political advocacy in the state of Texas.


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Political Career and Work with Governor Rick Perry ===
=== Early Political Career and Texas State Government ===


Roy's entry into Texas politics came through service to Governor [[Rick Perry]]. He served in a senior advisory capacity on Perry's staff and was involved in the governor's growing political operation. Perry announced Roy as part of his expanding campaign staff during this period.<ref>{{cite web |title=Press Release: Gov. Rick Perry Announces Growing Campaign Staff |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/press-release-gov-rick-perry-announces-growing-campaign-staff |publisher=The American Presidency Project |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Roy was appointed by Perry as the state's director of federal relations, a position based in [[Washington, D.C.]], where he served as a liaison between the Texas governor's office and the federal government.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Governor appoints Charles "Chip" Roy of McKinney as State Federal Relations Director |url=https://starlocalmedia.com/mckinneycouriergazette/news/governor-appoints-charles-chip-roy-of-mckinney-as-state-federal-relations-director/article_fd0aca76-464a-557b-81a3-bcb8a1f716a5.html |work=McKinney Courier-Gazette |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Perry's pick for D.C. office plays familiar song |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/news_columnists/peggy_fikac/article/Perry-s-pick-for-D-C-office-plays-familiar-song-1331081.php |work=San Antonio Express-News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Roy was described as having served as the chief ghostwriter on Perry's book ''[[Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington]]'', an anti-Washington manifesto that articulated Perry's states' rights philosophy.<ref name="dallasnews">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2012-11-28 |title=Ted Cruz picks chief of staff Chip Roy, chief ghostwriter on Rick Perry's anti-Washington tome 'Fed Up!' |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2012/11/28/ted-cruz-picks-chief-of-staff-chip-roy-chief-ghostwriter-on-rick-perry-s-anti-washington-tome-fed-up/ |work=The Dallas Morning News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Roy's early career was shaped by his involvement in Texas Republican politics, particularly through his work with Governor Rick Perry's administration. In 2008, Perry appointed Roy as the state's director of federal relations, a position based in Washington, D.C., that tasked him with managing Texas's interactions with the federal government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Governor Appoints Charles 'Chip' Roy of McKinney as State Federal Relations Director |url=https://starlocalmedia.com/mckinneycouriergazette/news/governor-appoints-charles-chip-roy-of-mckinney-as-state-federal-relations-director/article_fd0aca76-464a-557b-81a3-bcb8a1f716a5.html |publisher=Star Local Media |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In this role, Roy served as a liaison between the Perry administration and federal officials, advocating for Texas's policy positions in the nation's capital.<ref>{{cite news |title=Perry's pick for D.C. office plays familiar song |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/news_columnists/peggy_fikac/article/Perry-s-pick-for-D-C-office-plays-familiar-song-1331081.php |work=San Antonio Express-News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


When a successor was named for the state-federal relations director post in October 2011, Roy moved on to new roles in Republican politics.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2011-10-17 |title=Patteson named Office of State-Federal Relations director |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/10/17/patteson-named-office-of-state-federal.html |work=Austin Business Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Roy was also involved in Perry's presidential campaign efforts. He served on the growing campaign staff as Perry sought the Republican presidential nomination.<ref>{{cite web |title=Press Release - Gov. Rick Perry Announces Growing Campaign Staff |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/press-release-gov-rick-perry-announces-growing-campaign-staff |publisher=The American Presidency Project |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His work on Perry's campaign and in the governor's administration helped Roy develop a network of conservative contacts and a reputation within Republican circles in Texas and nationally.


=== Chief of Staff to Senator Ted Cruz ===
In 2011, Roy departed the Office of State-Federal Relations, with his successor being named to the position.<ref>{{cite news |date=2011-10-17 |title=Patteson named Office of State-Federal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/10/17/patteson-named-office-of-state-federal.html |work=Austin Business Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Following [[Ted Cruz]]'s election to the U.S. Senate in November 2012, Cruz selected Roy as his chief of staff. The appointment was announced in late November 2012, with Cruz drawing on Roy's experience in Texas government and conservative policy circles. The ''Dallas Morning News'' noted Roy's background as the ghostwriter of Perry's book in its reporting on the hire.<ref name="dallasnews" />
=== Chief of Staff to Ted Cruz ===


As Cruz's chief of staff, Roy played a central role during a politically turbulent period in Republican politics. He was a key adviser during the 2013 effort by Cruz and other conservative Republicans to defund the [[Affordable Care Act]] (commonly known as Obamacare), a strategy that contributed to a partial [[United States federal government shutdowns|government shutdown]]. Roy helped coordinate Cruz's legislative tactics during the internal Republican debates over how aggressively to challenge the healthcare law.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2013-07 |title=Ted Cruz, Republicans and Obamacare |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/ted-cruz-republicans-obamacare-094950 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2013-07 |title=GOP feuds over Obamacare tactics |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/gop-feuds-obamacare-tactics-094774 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Following Ted Cruz's election to the U.S. Senate in 2012, Roy was selected to serve as Cruz's chief of staff, a role that placed him at the center of some of the most consequential conservative legislative battles of the period.<ref>{{cite news |date=2012-11-28 |title=Ted Cruz picks chief of staff Chip Roy, chief ghostwriter on Rick Perry's anti-Washington tome 'Fed Up!' |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2012/11/28/ted-cruz-picks-chief-of-staff-chip-roy-chief-ghostwriter-on-rick-perry-s-anti-washington-tome-fed-up/ |work=The Dallas Morning News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The ''Dallas Morning News'' noted at the time of his appointment that Roy had been a "chief ghostwriter" on Perry's book ''Fed Up!'', an anti-Washington manifesto that articulated Perry's views on federalism and limited government.<ref>{{cite news |date=2012-11-28 |title=Ted Cruz picks chief of staff Chip Roy, chief ghostwriter on Rick Perry's anti-Washington tome 'Fed Up!' |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2012/11/28/ted-cruz-picks-chief-of-staff-chip-roy-chief-ghostwriter-on-rick-perry-s-anti-washington-tome-fed-up/ |work=The Dallas Morning News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Roy was also involved in Cruz's approach to immigration policy, working to shape the senator's positions on [[Barack Obama|President Obama]]'s executive actions on immigration.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2016-02 |title=Cruz, Scott Keller, Chip Roy, immigration, Obama |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/cruz-scott-keller-chip-roy-immigration-obama-218932 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The ''Texas Tribune'' later characterized Roy's time with Cruz as formative in establishing his conservative bona fides and his approach to governance, which emphasized confrontation with the political establishment.<ref name="tribbio">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2019-07-25 |title=Chip Roy, Ted Cruz, conservative, U.S. House |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2019/07/25/chip-roy-ted-cruz-conservative-us-house/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
As Cruz's chief of staff, Roy played a significant behind-the-scenes role during the 2013 effort to defund the [[Affordable Care Act]] (commonly known as Obamacare), which culminated in a government shutdown. Roy helped coordinate Republican strategy on the issue, a period that saw intense internal GOP debates over the tactics and wisdom of tying government funding to the repeal of the health care law.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-07 |title=Ted Cruz, Republicans, Obamacare |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/ted-cruz-republicans-obamacare-094950 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2013-07 |title=GOP feuds over Obamacare tactics |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/gop-feuds-obamacare-tactics-094774 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Cruz's office, with Roy as a key strategist, was central to the conservative wing's push to use every available legislative lever to challenge the Obama administration's signature domestic policy achievement.
 
Roy also worked alongside Cruz on immigration policy, helping to shape the senator's hard-line positions on the issue, which included opposition to executive actions on immigration taken by President Obama.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-02 |title=Cruz, Scott Keller, Chip Roy, immigration, Obama |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/cruz-scott-keller-chip-roy-immigration-obama-218932 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== First Assistant Attorney General of Texas ===
=== First Assistant Attorney General of Texas ===


In November 2014, following [[Ken Paxton]]'s election as [[Texas Attorney General]], Roy was named as the first member of Paxton's incoming team, serving as the first assistant attorney general of Texas — the second-highest position in the office.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2014-11-18 |title=AG-elect Paxton names Roy first assistant |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2014/11/18/ag-elect-paxton-names-roy-first-assistant/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2014-11-10 |title=Sources: Roy tops AG-elect Paxton's hiring list |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2014/11/10/sources-roy-tops-ag-elect-paxtons-hiring-list/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Paxton names first member of attorney general team |url=https://setexasrecord.com/stories/510624840-paxton-names-first-member-of-attorney-general-team |work=Southeast Texas Record |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In November 2014, following Ken Paxton's election as Texas Attorney General, Roy was identified as the top candidate for the position of first assistant attorney general, which is the second-ranking position in the Texas Attorney General's office.<ref>{{cite news |date=2014-11-10 |title=Sources: Roy tops AG-elect Paxton's hiring list |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2014/11/10/sources-roy-tops-ag-elect-paxtons-hiring-list/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Paxton subsequently confirmed Roy's appointment as first assistant attorney general.<ref>{{cite news |date=2014-11-18 |title=AG-elect Paxton names Roy first assistant |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2014/11/18/ag-elect-paxton-names-roy-first-assistant/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Paxton names first member of attorney general team |url=https://setexasrecord.com/stories/510624840-paxton-names-first-member-of-attorney-general-team |publisher=Southeast Texas Record |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


In this role, Roy oversaw much of the day-to-day operations of the Texas Attorney General's office and was involved in the state's legal strategies on a range of policy issues. His tenure in the office provided him with extensive experience in state-level legal affairs that he would later reference throughout his political career and in his 2025 campaign for attorney general.
In this capacity, Roy served as a senior legal and administrative official overseeing the day-to-day operations of one of the largest state attorneys general offices in the United States. His tenure under Paxton provided him with direct experience in state-level legal enforcement and litigation, including cases involving federal-state disputes. This role deepened Roy's credentials as a conservative legal figure in Texas.


=== U.S. House of Representatives ===
=== U.S. House of Representatives ===


==== 2018 Campaign ====
==== 2018 Election ====
 
In December 2017, Roy announced his candidacy for Texas's 21st congressional district following the retirement of longtime incumbent [[Lamar Smith]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-12-06 |title=Chip Roy, former Cruz chief of staff, running for Lamar Smith's seat |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2017/12/06/chip-roy-former-cruz-chief-staff-running-lamar-smiths-seat/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The district, which stretches from Austin to San Antonio and includes portions of the Texas Hill Country, had been represented by Smith since 1987. Roy ran as a conservative candidate with strong connections to the Ted Cruz wing of the Republican Party, emphasizing his desire to bring change to Washington.<ref>{{cite news |date=2018-10-08 |title=Chip Roy is betting on desire for change in Washington to get elected to Congress |url=https://thedailytexan.com/2018/10/08/chip-roy-is-betting-on-desire-for-change-in-washington-to-get-elected-to-congress/ |work=The Daily Texan |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
During the campaign, Roy outlined his plans to reduce the size and scope of the federal government and articulated positions on border security, government spending, and constitutional limits on federal power.<ref>{{cite news |date=2018 |title=Chip Roy's plan to get Washington out of the way |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/politics/article/Chip-Roy-s-plan-to-get-Washington-out-of-the-12911492.php |work=San Antonio Express-News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He campaigned in what the ''Austin American-Statesman'' described as running "in the shadow of Cruz," drawing on his close professional relationship with the senator while establishing his own identity as a candidate.<ref name="statesman" />


In December 2017, Roy announced his candidacy for [[Texas's 21st congressional district]], the seat being vacated by retiring longtime Republican incumbent [[Lamar Smith]].<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2017-12-06 |title=Chip Roy, former Cruz chief of staff, running for Lamar Smith's seat |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2017/12/06/chip-roy-former-cruz-chief-staff-running-lamar-smiths-seat/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The district, which stretches from the northern suburbs of [[San Antonio]] through the [[Texas Hill Country]] and into parts of [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], had been a reliably Republican seat.
Roy won the Republican primary and went on to win the general election, taking office on January 3, 2019, as the representative for Texas's 21st congressional district, succeeding Lamar Smith.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chip Roy |url=https://trackbill.com/legislator/us-congress-chip-roy/623-18083/ |publisher=TrackBill |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


During the campaign, Roy ran as an uncompromising conservative, emphasizing his connections to the Cruz wing of the Republican Party and his desire to challenge Washington's governing culture.<ref name="statesman" /><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2018-06 |title=Chip Roy's plan to get Washington out of the way |url=https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/politics/article/Chip-Roy-s-plan-to-get-Washington-out-of-the-12911492.php |work=San Antonio Express-News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The ''Daily Texan'' reported that Roy was "betting on desire for change in Washington" as a central theme of his campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2018-10-08 |title=Chip Roy is betting on desire for change in Washington to get elected to Congress |url=https://thedailytexan.com/2018/10/08/chip-roy-is-betting-on-desire-for-change-in-washington-to-get-elected-to-congress/ |work=The Daily Texan |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Roy won the election and succeeded Smith, taking office on January 3, 2019.
==== Tenure in Congress ====


==== Congressional Tenure ====
In Congress, Roy quickly established himself as a member of the House Freedom Caucus, the conservative bloc within the House Republican Conference, and rose to serve as the caucus's policy chair. He earned a reputation for procedural confrontations and a willingness to oppose both Republican and Democratic leadership when he believed legislation failed to meet conservative principles.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-17 |title=Congressional obstructionist Chip Roy vies for Texas AG job |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/17/chip-roy-attorney-general-texas-primary-2026-paxton-trump/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The ''Texas Tribune'' described Roy as a "congressional obstructionist," a characterization reflecting his frequent use of procedural tactics to slow or block legislation he opposed.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-17 |title=Congressional obstructionist Chip Roy vies for Texas AG job |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/17/chip-roy-attorney-general-texas-primary-2026-paxton-trump/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


In Congress, Roy became a member of the [[House Freedom Caucus]], the caucus of the most conservative members of the [[House Republican Conference]], and rose to serve as its policy chair. He established a reputation for procedural confrontation, using parliamentary tools to slow or block legislation he viewed as insufficiently conservative, particularly on matters of government spending and immigration.<ref name="tribbio" />
Roy's relationship with the broader GOP establishment and with former President Donald Trump has been a defining feature of his congressional career. The ''Wall Street Journal'' reported in 2021 that Roy was testing Republican voters' appetite for Trump dissenters, highlighting moments where he broke from the party line.<ref>{{cite news |date=2021 |title=Chip Roy Tests GOP Voters' Appetite for Trump Dissenters |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chip-roy-tests-gop-voters-appetite-for-trump-dissenters-11623490201 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Roy has at various points broken with Trump and called out both the former president and Attorney General Ken Paxton on specific issues, asserting that his loyalty is to constitutional principles rather than to any individual political figure.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-17 |title=Congressional obstructionist Chip Roy vies for Texas AG job |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/17/chip-roy-attorney-general-texas-primary-2026-paxton-trump/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


The ''Texas Tribune'' described Roy as a "congressional obstructionist" in its coverage of his career, noting his willingness to use procedural maneuvers and to break publicly with Republican leadership when he felt the party was not adhering to conservative principles.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-17 |title=Congressional obstructionist Chip Roy vies for Texas AG job |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/17/chip-roy-attorney-general-texas-primary-2026-paxton-trump/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Roy's breaks with [[Donald Trump|President Donald Trump]] on various issues became a defining feature of his congressional career. The ''Wall Street Journal'' reported in 2021 that Roy was testing Republican voters' appetite for Trump dissenters within the party, positioning himself as a principled conservative willing to criticize the former president when he believed it was warranted.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2021-06 |title=Chip Roy Tests GOP Voters' Appetite for Trump Dissenters |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chip-roy-tests-gop-voters-appetite-for-trump-dissenters-11623490201 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
A key legislative priority for Roy has been the relationship between Ted Cruz and the broader conservative movement's agenda, including border security and immigration enforcement. His long career working on immigration policy—dating back to his time as Cruz's chief of staff—carried over into his legislative work in Congress. Roy was a principal author of the SAVE America Act, legislation focused on election integrity that was co-sponsored with Senator Mike Lee of Utah. In February 2026, the act passed the House of Representatives.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rep. Roy's SAVE America Act Passes House of Representatives |url=http://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roys-save-america-act-passes-house-representatives |publisher=Office of Representative Chip Roy |date=2026-02 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Roy also engaged in work on election integrity issues. In a joint appearance with conservative activist Scott Presler, Roy participated in a [[Republican Study Committee]] event focused on election integrity, with the committee describing the session as an effort to "sound the alarm" and "bring the receipts" on the subject.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rep. Chip Roy and Scott Presler Sound the Alarm on Election Integrity and Bring the Receipts |url=https://rsc-pfluger.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-chip-roy-and-scott-presler-sound-alarm-election-integrity-and-bring |publisher=Republican Study Committee |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Roy also engaged in election integrity advocacy efforts. The Republican Study Committee highlighted Roy's work alongside activist Scott Presler in raising concerns about election integrity practices.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rep. Chip Roy and Scott Presler Sound the Alarm on Election Integrity and Bring the Receipts |url=https://rsc-pfluger.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-chip-roy-and-scott-presler-sound-alarm-election-integrity-and-bring |publisher=Republican Study Committee |date=2026-02 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
Throughout his tenure, Roy's relationship with the Cruz network remained prominent. The ''Texas Tribune'' noted that Roy's career trajectory was deeply intertwined with Cruz's, describing their long professional partnership and shared ideological commitments.<ref>{{cite news |date=2019-07-25 |title=Chip Roy, Ted Cruz, conservative, U.S. House |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2019/07/25/chip-roy-ted-cruz-conservative-us-house/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== 2026 Texas Attorney General Campaign ===
=== 2026 Texas Attorney General Campaign ===


In August 2025, Roy announced his candidacy for [[Texas Attorney General]], entering the Republican primary to succeed the incumbent, Ken Paxton.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-21 |title=15 candidates are fighting to replace Chip Roy in rare open congressional seat |url=https://www.kut.org/politics/2026-02-21/texas-congressional-district-21-chip-roy-primary-election-candidates-guide |work=KUT |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The decision set off an open race for his congressional seat, with 15 candidates eventually filing to run for the 21st Congressional District.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-24 |title=Open Congressional District 21 Sees 15 Candidates to Succeed Congressman Chip Roy |url=https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/open-congressional-district-21-sees-15-candidates-to-succeed-congressman-chip-roy/article_bae3b40c-f4fd-4efd-8d05-03058a3973f5.html |work=The Texan |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In August 2025, Roy announced his candidacy for Texas Attorney General in the 2026 elections, a decision that effectively ended his tenure in Congress and opened the 21st congressional district to new candidates. The announcement set in motion a crowded Republican primary that drew significant attention both in Texas and nationally.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-24 |title=Open Congressional District 21 Sees 15 Candidates to Succeed Congressman Chip Roy |url=https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/open-congressional-district-21-sees-15-candidates-to-succeed-congressman-chip-roy/article_bae3b40c-f4fd-4efd-8d05-03058a3973f5.html |work=The Texan |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Roy's campaign for attorney general centered on his conservative credentials and his experience as the former first assistant attorney general. He emphasized fighting federal overreach and restoring integrity to the office.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-24 |title=Texas GOP Attorney General candidates highlight conservative credentials ahead of primary |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-primary-gop-attorney-general-candidates-conservative-credentials/ |work=CBS News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The Republican primary field included state Senator [[Mayes Middleton]] and other candidates. A February 2026 poll conducted ahead of the March primary showed Roy maintaining a 10-percentage-point lead over Middleton among Republican primary voters.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-11 |title=Chip Roy, Mayes Middleton leading Texas attorney general GOP primary in new poll |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/02/11/543114/texas-march-primary-poll-sid-miller-chip-roy-don-huffines/ |work=Houston Public Media |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Roy's campaign for attorney general has centered on his legal experience and conservative credentials, including his time as first assistant attorney general under Paxton and his legislative record in Congress. However, the race has also been defined by Roy's relationship with Trump, which has become a flashpoint in the primary. ''Politico'' reported that Roy's breaks with Trump have become a central issue, describing the contest as a "MAGA purity test" playing out in the Texas attorney general race.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-18 |title=Trump looms over Texas attorney general race |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/18/maga-purity-test-plays-out-in-texas-attorney-general-race-00786750 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


However, Roy's history of breaking with Trump became a central point of contention in the race. ''Politico'' reported that Trump "looms over" the Texas attorney general contest, and that Roy's disagreements with the president had become a "flashpoint" in the primary campaign, as opponents sought to cast doubt on his loyalty to the broader Republican coalition.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-18 |title=Trump looms over Texas attorney general race |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/18/maga-purity-test-plays-out-in-texas-attorney-general-race-00786750 |work=Politico |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Roy responded by framing his independence as evidence of principled conservatism rather than disloyalty, stating that his loyalty was to the [[Constitution of the United States|Constitution]] and to the people of Texas.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-17 |title=Congressional obstructionist Chip Roy vies for Texas AG job |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/17/chip-roy-attorney-general-texas-primary-2026-paxton-trump/ |work=The Texas Tribune |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Roy's primary opponent, state Senator Mayes Middleton, has positioned himself as the more Trump-aligned candidate. The ''Houston Chronicle'' described the contest between Roy and Middleton as one in which both candidates had "everything to lose," given that each was giving up his current office to run.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Chip Roy and 'MAGA Mayes' put it all on the line in crowded Texas AG primary |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/chip-roy-mayes-middleton-maga-21124676.php |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


''Spectrum News'' profiled the four-candidate Republican primary field, highlighting the competitive nature of the race and the differing approaches each candidate brought to the question of how the attorney general's office should operate.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-03 |title=A look at the 4 Republican candidates in primary race for attorney general |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/news/2026/02/03/4-republican-candidates-enter-primary-race-for-attorney-general |work=Spectrum News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Polling ahead of the March 2026 primary showed Roy maintaining a lead in the Republican primary field. A poll reported by Houston Public Media indicated Roy held a 10-percentage point lead over Middleton among Republican primary voters.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-11 |title=Chip Roy, Mayes Middleton leading Texas attorney general GOP primary in new poll |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/02/11/543114/texas-march-primary-poll-sid-miller-chip-roy-don-huffines/ |work=Houston Public Media |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
As the primary approached, CBS News reported that the GOP candidates—including Roy—highlighted their conservative credentials and laid out priorities such as fighting federal overreach and emphasizing courtroom experience.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-24 |title=Texas GOP Attorney General candidates highlight conservative credentials ahead of primary |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-primary-gop-attorney-general-candidates-conservative-credentials/ |work=CBS News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Roy's campaign has emphasized his record of opposing federal overreach and his experience in constitutional litigation, positioning himself as the candidate best equipped to serve as the state's top legal officer.


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Roy has two children.<ref name="statesman" /> He has resided in Texas for much of his adult life, having settled in the state after attending law school at the University of Texas at Austin. Before his election to Congress, Roy lived in [[McKinney, Texas]], during his time as state-federal relations director under Governor Perry.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Governor appoints Charles "Chip" Roy of McKinney as State Federal Relations Director |url=https://starlocalmedia.com/mckinneycouriergazette/news/governor-appoints-charles-chip-roy-of-mckinney-as-state-federal-relations-director/article_fd0aca76-464a-557b-81a3-bcb8a1f716a5.html |work=McKinney Courier-Gazette |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He later relocated to the 21st Congressional District in the Austin–San Antonio corridor area.
Roy resides in the Austin, Texas, area. He has two children.<ref name="statesman" /> Roy previously lived in McKinney, Texas, during his tenure in state government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Governor Appoints Charles 'Chip' Roy of McKinney as State Federal Relations Director |url=https://starlocalmedia.com/mckinneycouriergazette/news/governor-appoints-charles-chip-roy-of-mckinney-as-state-federal-relations-director/article_fd0aca76-464a-557b-81a3-bcb8a1f716a5.html |publisher=Star Local Media |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Beyond his political career, Roy holds a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin and has maintained his identity as an attorney throughout his career in government and politics.
 
== Recognition ==
 
Roy's legislative work has received attention from various conservative organizations and media outlets. His authorship of the SAVE America Act, which passed the House of Representatives in February 2026, has been cited as one of his signature legislative accomplishments.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rep. Roy's SAVE America Act Passes House of Representatives |url=http://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roys-save-america-act-passes-house-representatives |publisher=Office of Representative Chip Roy |date=2026-02 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His role as policy chair of the House Freedom Caucus placed him among the most influential conservative voices in the House Republican Conference, and his willingness to employ procedural tactics to advance or block legislation earned him both praise from conservative allies and criticism from those who viewed his approach as obstructionist.
 
The ''Wall Street Journal'' profiled Roy in 2021 as a test case for whether Republican voters would support elected officials willing to dissent from Trump-aligned positions, a question that has continued to define his political identity through his 2026 attorney general campaign.<ref>{{cite news |date=2021 |title=Chip Roy Tests GOP Voters' Appetite for Trump Dissenters |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chip-roy-tests-gop-voters-appetite-for-trump-dissenters-11623490201 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Roy's career in Texas and national politics has spanned roles in the executive and legislative branches at both the state and federal levels. His service as a senior aide to Governor Perry, chief of staff to Senator Cruz, and first assistant attorney general under Paxton placed him at the center of major conservative policy battles in Texas over more than a decade. In Congress, his role as policy chair of the House Freedom Caucus positioned him as one of the most prominent conservative voices pushing for reductions in federal spending and stricter immigration enforcement.
As of early 2026, Roy's legacy remains in active formation, with the outcome of his attorney general campaign likely to shape assessments of his career. His congressional tenure has been marked by a consistent commitment to fiscal conservatism, limited government, and the use of legislative procedure as a tool of policy advocacy. His career arc—from Rick Perry's administration to Ted Cruz's Senate office to the Texas Attorney General's office to Congress—reflects a trajectory through some of the most significant conservative political institutions in Texas.


His willingness to publicly challenge both Republican leadership and President Trump distinguished him from many of his Freedom Caucus colleagues and generated significant media attention. The ''Wall Street Journal'' framed his political approach as a test case for whether Republican voters would accept dissent from Trump within the conservative movement.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2021-06 |title=Chip Roy Tests GOP Voters' Appetite for Trump Dissenters |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chip-roy-tests-gop-voters-appetite-for-trump-dissenters-11623490201 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His 2025 decision to leave Congress and seek the office of Texas Attorney General represented a return to the state-level legal arena where he had begun his career, and his candidacy prompted the largest open-seat congressional race in the 21st District in decades, with 15 candidates entering to succeed him.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2026-02-24 |title=Open Congressional District 21 Sees 15 Candidates to Succeed Congressman Chip Roy |url=https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/open-congressional-district-21-sees-15-candidates-to-succeed-congressman-chip-roy/article_bae3b40c-f4fd-4efd-8d05-03058a3973f5.html |work=The Texan |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Roy's departure from Congress to pursue the attorney general's office opened a competitive race for Texas's 21st congressional district, with fifteen candidates entering to succeed him.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-24 |title=Open Congressional District 21 Sees 15 Candidates to Succeed Congressman Chip Roy |url=https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/open-congressional-district-21-sees-15-candidates-to-succeed-congressman-chip-roy/article_bae3b40c-f4fd-4efd-8d05-03058a3973f5.html |work=The Texan |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Regardless of the outcome of his 2026 campaign, Roy's career has reflected the tensions within the Republican Party between institutional conservatism and the populist movement associated with Trump, making him a figure of interest in analyses of the contemporary American right.


== References ==
== References ==
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Chip Roy
Official portrait, 2022
Chip Roy
BornCharles Eugene Roy
7 8, 1972
BirthplaceBethesda, Maryland, U.S.
OccupationAttorney, politician
TitleMember of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 21st district
Known forU.S. Representative for Texas's 21st congressional district; House Freedom Caucus policy chair
EducationUniversity of Virginia (BS, MS)
University of Texas at Austin (JD)
Children2

Charles Eugene "Chip" Roy (born August 7, 1972) is an American attorney and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 21st congressional district since January 3, 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Roy built a career in conservative legal and political circles before entering elected office, serving as chief of staff to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, as first assistant attorney general of Texas under Ken Paxton, and in various roles within the administration of Texas Governor Rick Perry. In Congress, Roy has served as policy chair of the House Freedom Caucus and has positioned himself within the most conservative faction of the House Republican Conference. Known for his willingness to challenge both Democratic and Republican leadership on matters of government spending and federal authority, Roy has at times broken with his own party, including publicly criticizing former President Donald Trump on specific policy and procedural matters. In August 2025, Roy announced his candidacy for Texas Attorney General in the 2026 elections, a decision that opened a competitive race for his congressional seat, which drew fifteen candidates.[1] His campaign for attorney general has drawn national attention, with his past disagreements with Trump becoming a significant issue in the Republican primary.[2]

Early Life

Chip Roy was born Charles Eugene Roy on August 7, 1972, in Bethesda, Maryland.[3] Details regarding his upbringing and family background prior to his higher education have not been extensively documented in available public sources. Roy would later settle in Texas, where he built his professional career in law and politics and raised his family, eventually making his home in the Austin area within the boundaries of Texas's 21st congressional district.

Education

Roy attended the University of Virginia, where he earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree.[3] He subsequently enrolled at the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, where he earned his Juris Doctor (JD) degree.[3] His legal education at the University of Texas positioned him for a career that would intertwine legal practice with public policy and conservative political advocacy in the state of Texas.

Career

Early Political Career and Texas State Government

Roy's early career was shaped by his involvement in Texas Republican politics, particularly through his work with Governor Rick Perry's administration. In 2008, Perry appointed Roy as the state's director of federal relations, a position based in Washington, D.C., that tasked him with managing Texas's interactions with the federal government.[4] In this role, Roy served as a liaison between the Perry administration and federal officials, advocating for Texas's policy positions in the nation's capital.[5]

Roy was also involved in Perry's presidential campaign efforts. He served on the growing campaign staff as Perry sought the Republican presidential nomination.[6] His work on Perry's campaign and in the governor's administration helped Roy develop a network of conservative contacts and a reputation within Republican circles in Texas and nationally.

In 2011, Roy departed the Office of State-Federal Relations, with his successor being named to the position.[7]

Chief of Staff to Ted Cruz

Following Ted Cruz's election to the U.S. Senate in 2012, Roy was selected to serve as Cruz's chief of staff, a role that placed him at the center of some of the most consequential conservative legislative battles of the period.[8] The Dallas Morning News noted at the time of his appointment that Roy had been a "chief ghostwriter" on Perry's book Fed Up!, an anti-Washington manifesto that articulated Perry's views on federalism and limited government.[9]

As Cruz's chief of staff, Roy played a significant behind-the-scenes role during the 2013 effort to defund the Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare), which culminated in a government shutdown. Roy helped coordinate Republican strategy on the issue, a period that saw intense internal GOP debates over the tactics and wisdom of tying government funding to the repeal of the health care law.[10][11] Cruz's office, with Roy as a key strategist, was central to the conservative wing's push to use every available legislative lever to challenge the Obama administration's signature domestic policy achievement.

Roy also worked alongside Cruz on immigration policy, helping to shape the senator's hard-line positions on the issue, which included opposition to executive actions on immigration taken by President Obama.[12]

First Assistant Attorney General of Texas

In November 2014, following Ken Paxton's election as Texas Attorney General, Roy was identified as the top candidate for the position of first assistant attorney general, which is the second-ranking position in the Texas Attorney General's office.[13] Paxton subsequently confirmed Roy's appointment as first assistant attorney general.[14][15]

In this capacity, Roy served as a senior legal and administrative official overseeing the day-to-day operations of one of the largest state attorneys general offices in the United States. His tenure under Paxton provided him with direct experience in state-level legal enforcement and litigation, including cases involving federal-state disputes. This role deepened Roy's credentials as a conservative legal figure in Texas.

U.S. House of Representatives

2018 Election

In December 2017, Roy announced his candidacy for Texas's 21st congressional district following the retirement of longtime incumbent Lamar Smith.[16] The district, which stretches from Austin to San Antonio and includes portions of the Texas Hill Country, had been represented by Smith since 1987. Roy ran as a conservative candidate with strong connections to the Ted Cruz wing of the Republican Party, emphasizing his desire to bring change to Washington.[17]

During the campaign, Roy outlined his plans to reduce the size and scope of the federal government and articulated positions on border security, government spending, and constitutional limits on federal power.[18] He campaigned in what the Austin American-Statesman described as running "in the shadow of Cruz," drawing on his close professional relationship with the senator while establishing his own identity as a candidate.[3]

Roy won the Republican primary and went on to win the general election, taking office on January 3, 2019, as the representative for Texas's 21st congressional district, succeeding Lamar Smith.[19]

Tenure in Congress

In Congress, Roy quickly established himself as a member of the House Freedom Caucus, the conservative bloc within the House Republican Conference, and rose to serve as the caucus's policy chair. He earned a reputation for procedural confrontations and a willingness to oppose both Republican and Democratic leadership when he believed legislation failed to meet conservative principles.[20] The Texas Tribune described Roy as a "congressional obstructionist," a characterization reflecting his frequent use of procedural tactics to slow or block legislation he opposed.[21]

Roy's relationship with the broader GOP establishment and with former President Donald Trump has been a defining feature of his congressional career. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2021 that Roy was testing Republican voters' appetite for Trump dissenters, highlighting moments where he broke from the party line.[22] Roy has at various points broken with Trump and called out both the former president and Attorney General Ken Paxton on specific issues, asserting that his loyalty is to constitutional principles rather than to any individual political figure.[23]

A key legislative priority for Roy has been the relationship between Ted Cruz and the broader conservative movement's agenda, including border security and immigration enforcement. His long career working on immigration policy—dating back to his time as Cruz's chief of staff—carried over into his legislative work in Congress. Roy was a principal author of the SAVE America Act, legislation focused on election integrity that was co-sponsored with Senator Mike Lee of Utah. In February 2026, the act passed the House of Representatives.[24]

Roy also engaged in election integrity advocacy efforts. The Republican Study Committee highlighted Roy's work alongside activist Scott Presler in raising concerns about election integrity practices.[25]

Throughout his tenure, Roy's relationship with the Cruz network remained prominent. The Texas Tribune noted that Roy's career trajectory was deeply intertwined with Cruz's, describing their long professional partnership and shared ideological commitments.[26]

2026 Texas Attorney General Campaign

In August 2025, Roy announced his candidacy for Texas Attorney General in the 2026 elections, a decision that effectively ended his tenure in Congress and opened the 21st congressional district to new candidates. The announcement set in motion a crowded Republican primary that drew significant attention both in Texas and nationally.[27]

Roy's campaign for attorney general has centered on his legal experience and conservative credentials, including his time as first assistant attorney general under Paxton and his legislative record in Congress. However, the race has also been defined by Roy's relationship with Trump, which has become a flashpoint in the primary. Politico reported that Roy's breaks with Trump have become a central issue, describing the contest as a "MAGA purity test" playing out in the Texas attorney general race.[28]

Roy's primary opponent, state Senator Mayes Middleton, has positioned himself as the more Trump-aligned candidate. The Houston Chronicle described the contest between Roy and Middleton as one in which both candidates had "everything to lose," given that each was giving up his current office to run.[29]

Polling ahead of the March 2026 primary showed Roy maintaining a lead in the Republican primary field. A poll reported by Houston Public Media indicated Roy held a 10-percentage point lead over Middleton among Republican primary voters.[30]

As the primary approached, CBS News reported that the GOP candidates—including Roy—highlighted their conservative credentials and laid out priorities such as fighting federal overreach and emphasizing courtroom experience.[31] Roy's campaign has emphasized his record of opposing federal overreach and his experience in constitutional litigation, positioning himself as the candidate best equipped to serve as the state's top legal officer.

Personal Life

Roy resides in the Austin, Texas, area. He has two children.[3] Roy previously lived in McKinney, Texas, during his tenure in state government.[32] Beyond his political career, Roy holds a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin and has maintained his identity as an attorney throughout his career in government and politics.

Recognition

Roy's legislative work has received attention from various conservative organizations and media outlets. His authorship of the SAVE America Act, which passed the House of Representatives in February 2026, has been cited as one of his signature legislative accomplishments.[33] His role as policy chair of the House Freedom Caucus placed him among the most influential conservative voices in the House Republican Conference, and his willingness to employ procedural tactics to advance or block legislation earned him both praise from conservative allies and criticism from those who viewed his approach as obstructionist.

The Wall Street Journal profiled Roy in 2021 as a test case for whether Republican voters would support elected officials willing to dissent from Trump-aligned positions, a question that has continued to define his political identity through his 2026 attorney general campaign.[34]

Legacy

As of early 2026, Roy's legacy remains in active formation, with the outcome of his attorney general campaign likely to shape assessments of his career. His congressional tenure has been marked by a consistent commitment to fiscal conservatism, limited government, and the use of legislative procedure as a tool of policy advocacy. His career arc—from Rick Perry's administration to Ted Cruz's Senate office to the Texas Attorney General's office to Congress—reflects a trajectory through some of the most significant conservative political institutions in Texas.

Roy's departure from Congress to pursue the attorney general's office opened a competitive race for Texas's 21st congressional district, with fifteen candidates entering to succeed him.[35] Regardless of the outcome of his 2026 campaign, Roy's career has reflected the tensions within the Republican Party between institutional conservatism and the populist movement associated with Trump, making him a figure of interest in analyses of the contemporary American right.

References

  1. ↑ "Open Congressional District 21 Sees 15 Candidates to Succeed Congressman Chip Roy".The Texan.2026-02-24.https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/open-congressional-district-21-sees-15-candidates-to-succeed-congressman-chip-roy/article_bae3b40c-f4fd-4efd-8d05-03058a3973f5.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Trump looms over Texas attorney general race".Politico.2026-02-18.https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/18/maga-purity-test-plays-out-in-texas-attorney-general-race-00786750.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Chip Roy, conservative, runs in shadow of Cruz".Austin American-Statesman.2018-05-07.https://www.statesman.com/news/20180507/chip-roy-conservative-runs-in-shadow-of-cruz.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Governor Appoints Charles 'Chip' Roy of McKinney as State Federal Relations Director".Star Local Media.https://starlocalmedia.com/mckinneycouriergazette/news/governor-appoints-charles-chip-roy-of-mckinney-as-state-federal-relations-director/article_fd0aca76-464a-557b-81a3-bcb8a1f716a5.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Perry's pick for D.C. office plays familiar song".San Antonio Express-News.https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/news_columnists/peggy_fikac/article/Perry-s-pick-for-D-C-office-plays-familiar-song-1331081.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Press Release - Gov. Rick Perry Announces Growing Campaign Staff".The American Presidency Project.https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/press-release-gov-rick-perry-announces-growing-campaign-staff.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Patteson named Office of State-Federal".Austin Business Journal.2011-10-17.https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2011/10/17/patteson-named-office-of-state-federal.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Ted Cruz picks chief of staff Chip Roy, chief ghostwriter on Rick Perry's anti-Washington tome 'Fed Up!'".The Dallas Morning News.2012-11-28.https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2012/11/28/ted-cruz-picks-chief-of-staff-chip-roy-chief-ghostwriter-on-rick-perry-s-anti-washington-tome-fed-up/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Ted Cruz picks chief of staff Chip Roy, chief ghostwriter on Rick Perry's anti-Washington tome 'Fed Up!'".The Dallas Morning News.2012-11-28.https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2012/11/28/ted-cruz-picks-chief-of-staff-chip-roy-chief-ghostwriter-on-rick-perry-s-anti-washington-tome-fed-up/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Ted Cruz, Republicans, Obamacare".Politico.2013-07.https://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/ted-cruz-republicans-obamacare-094950.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "GOP feuds over Obamacare tactics".Politico.2013-07.https://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/gop-feuds-obamacare-tactics-094774.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Cruz, Scott Keller, Chip Roy, immigration, Obama".Politico.2016-02.https://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/cruz-scott-keller-chip-roy-immigration-obama-218932.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Sources: Roy tops AG-elect Paxton's hiring list".The Texas Tribune.2014-11-10.https://www.texastribune.org/2014/11/10/sources-roy-tops-ag-elect-paxtons-hiring-list/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "AG-elect Paxton names Roy first assistant".The Texas Tribune.2014-11-18.https://www.texastribune.org/2014/11/18/ag-elect-paxton-names-roy-first-assistant/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Paxton names first member of attorney general team".Southeast Texas Record.https://setexasrecord.com/stories/510624840-paxton-names-first-member-of-attorney-general-team.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Chip Roy, former Cruz chief of staff, running for Lamar Smith's seat".The Texas Tribune.2017-12-06.https://www.texastribune.org/2017/12/06/chip-roy-former-cruz-chief-staff-running-lamar-smiths-seat/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Chip Roy is betting on desire for change in Washington to get elected to Congress".The Daily Texan.2018-10-08.https://thedailytexan.com/2018/10/08/chip-roy-is-betting-on-desire-for-change-in-washington-to-get-elected-to-congress/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Chip Roy's plan to get Washington out of the way".San Antonio Express-News.2018.https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/politics/article/Chip-Roy-s-plan-to-get-Washington-out-of-the-12911492.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Chip Roy".TrackBill.https://trackbill.com/legislator/us-congress-chip-roy/623-18083/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Congressional obstructionist Chip Roy vies for Texas AG job".The Texas Tribune.2026-02-17.https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/17/chip-roy-attorney-general-texas-primary-2026-paxton-trump/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Congressional obstructionist Chip Roy vies for Texas AG job".The Texas Tribune.2026-02-17.https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/17/chip-roy-attorney-general-texas-primary-2026-paxton-trump/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Chip Roy Tests GOP Voters' Appetite for Trump Dissenters".The Wall Street Journal.2021.https://www.wsj.com/articles/chip-roy-tests-gop-voters-appetite-for-trump-dissenters-11623490201.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Congressional obstructionist Chip Roy vies for Texas AG job".The Texas Tribune.2026-02-17.https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/17/chip-roy-attorney-general-texas-primary-2026-paxton-trump/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Rep. Roy's SAVE America Act Passes House of Representatives".Office of Representative Chip Roy.2026-02.http://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roys-save-america-act-passes-house-representatives.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Rep. Chip Roy and Scott Presler Sound the Alarm on Election Integrity and Bring the Receipts".Republican Study Committee.2026-02.https://rsc-pfluger.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-chip-roy-and-scott-presler-sound-alarm-election-integrity-and-bring.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Chip Roy, Ted Cruz, conservative, U.S. House".The Texas Tribune.2019-07-25.https://www.texastribune.org/2019/07/25/chip-roy-ted-cruz-conservative-us-house/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Open Congressional District 21 Sees 15 Candidates to Succeed Congressman Chip Roy".The Texan.2026-02-24.https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/open-congressional-district-21-sees-15-candidates-to-succeed-congressman-chip-roy/article_bae3b40c-f4fd-4efd-8d05-03058a3973f5.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "Trump looms over Texas attorney general race".Politico.2026-02-18.https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/18/maga-purity-test-plays-out-in-texas-attorney-general-race-00786750.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  29. ↑ "Chip Roy and 'MAGA Mayes' put it all on the line in crowded Texas AG primary".Houston Chronicle.2026-02.https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/chip-roy-mayes-middleton-maga-21124676.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  30. ↑ "Chip Roy, Mayes Middleton leading Texas attorney general GOP primary in new poll".Houston Public Media.2026-02-11.https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/02/11/543114/texas-march-primary-poll-sid-miller-chip-roy-don-huffines/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  31. ↑ "Texas GOP Attorney General candidates highlight conservative credentials ahead of primary".CBS News.2026-02-24.https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-primary-gop-attorney-general-candidates-conservative-credentials/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  32. ↑ "Governor Appoints Charles 'Chip' Roy of McKinney as State Federal Relations Director".Star Local Media.https://starlocalmedia.com/mckinneycouriergazette/news/governor-appoints-charles-chip-roy-of-mckinney-as-state-federal-relations-director/article_fd0aca76-464a-557b-81a3-bcb8a1f716a5.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  33. ↑ "Rep. Roy's SAVE America Act Passes House of Representatives".Office of Representative Chip Roy.2026-02.http://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roys-save-america-act-passes-house-representatives.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  34. ↑ "Chip Roy Tests GOP Voters' Appetite for Trump Dissenters".The Wall Street Journal.2021.https://www.wsj.com/articles/chip-roy-tests-gop-voters-appetite-for-trump-dissenters-11623490201.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  35. ↑ "Open Congressional District 21 Sees 15 Candidates to Succeed Congressman Chip Roy".The Texan.2026-02-24.https://thetexan.news/elections/2026/open-congressional-district-21-sees-15-candidates-to-succeed-congressman-chip-roy/article_bae3b40c-f4fd-4efd-8d05-03058a3973f5.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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