{{short description|American politician}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Mayes Middleton | image = Mayes Middleton by Gage Skidmore.jpg | caption = Middleton in 2018 | state_senate = Texas | district = 11th | term_start = January 10, 2023 | term_end = | predecessor = Larry Taylor | successor = | state_house1 = Texas | district1 = 23rd | term_start1 = January 8, 2019 | term_end1 = January 10, 2023 | predecessor1 = Wayne Faircloth | successor1 = Terri Leo-Wilson | birth_name = David Mayes Middleton II | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|9|18}} | birth_place = Wallisville, Texas, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = Macy Middleton | children = 4 | education = University of Texas, Austin (BA, JD) }} '''David Mayes Middleton II''' (born September 18, 1981)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.txdirectory.com/online/person/?id=62481&office=16741 |title=Rep. Mayes Middleton - Texas State Directory Online}}</ref> is an American businessman and politician serving as a member of the Texas Senate for the 11th district. Previously, he served as a Texas House of Representatives for district 23. A member of the Republican Party, Middleton has been in the Texas legislature since January 8, 2019.<ref name="lrl.texas.gov">{{cite web |title=Legislative Reference Library {{!}} Legislators and Leaders {{!}} Texas Legislators: Past & Present |url=https://lrl.texas.gov/legeLeaders/members/membersearch.cfm |website=lrl.texas.gov |access-date=24 December 2019}}</ref> He is the Republican nominee for Texas Attorney General in the 2026 election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Scherer |first1=Jasper |title=Sen. Mayes Middleton announces bid for Texas attorney general |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/15/mayes-middleton-attorney-general-candidate-ken-paxton/ |access-date=June 12, 2025 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=15 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==Early life and education== David Mayes Middleton II was born in Wallisville, Texas, an unincorporated town in northern Chambers County, Texas.<ref name = ballot>{{cite web |title=Mayes Middleton |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Mayes_Middleton |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=24 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Middleton's father, John Gregg Middleton,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=John Middleton Obituary (1941 - 2013) - Houston, TX - The Beaumont Enterprise|url=https://www.legacy.com/amp/obituaries/beaumontenterprise/164811952|access-date=2021-05-16|website=www.legacy.com|language=en}}</ref> named his son after his deceased brother,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Park (Organization)|first=Wallisville Heritage|date=January 1998|title=The Age, Volume 21, Number 1, January 1998|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth861702/m1/1/zoom/|access-date=2021-05-16|website=The Age|language=English}}</ref> David Mayes Middleton. Middleton graduated from The Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas, and received a degree in finance from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Juris Doctor from University of Texas Law School.
==Business career== Middleton serves as president of Middleton Oil Company, an independent oil and gas company that operates in South Texas and the Gulf Coast.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayes Middleton Biography |url=https://lrl.texas.gov/scanned/members/bios/Middleton_Mayes_86.pdf |website=lrl.texas.gov |publisher=Legislative Reference Library of Texas |access-date=24 December 2019 |location=Austin, Texas |language=en |quote=Mayes is President of Middleton Oil Company, an independent oil and gas company that operates wells in South Texas and along the Gulf Coast, and is engaged in joint exploration ventures. }}</ref> Middleton Oil Company currently claims three employees, and generates an estimated annual revenue of ~$800,000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Middleton Oil Company |url=https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.middleton_oil_company.b58a7d157df389ce8a2bc3605f9589e0.html |website=Dun & Bradstreet Business Directory |publisher=Dun & Bradstreet |access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref> Middleton owns and manages ranching, cattle, and farming operations in Chambers, Jefferson, Kimble, Liberty, and Webb Counties.<ref>{{cite web |title=TPPF announces Mayes Middleton as newest board member |url=https://www.texaspolicy.com/press/tppf-announces-mayes-middleton-as-newest-board-member |publisher=Texas Public Policy Foundation |access-date=2021-12-29 |language=en |date=2016-01-13 }}</ref> He serves on the Board of Directors of First Liberty National Bank, a community bank with locations in the Texas cities of Baytown, China, Dayton, Hardin, Huffman, and Liberty.<ref>{{cite web |title=Board of Directors |url=https://www.flnb.com/board-of-directors/ |website=www.flnb.com |publisher=First Liberty National Bank |access-date=2021-12-29 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mayes Middleton |url=https://www.texaspolicy.com/about/people/mayes-middleton/ |website=www.texaspolicy.com |publisher=Texas Public Policy Foundation |access-date=2021-12-29 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FLNB elects directors, announces promotions |url=https://bluebonnetnews.com/2021/03/22/flnb-elects-directors-announces-promotions/ |website=bluebonnetnews.com |publisher=Bluebonnet News |access-date=29 December 2021 |language=en |date=22 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Our Locations |url=https://www.flnb.com/locations/ |website=www.flnb.com |publisher=First Liberty National Bank |access-date=31 December 2021 |location=Liberty, Texas |language=en }}</ref>
==Political career== Middleton served in the Texas House of Representatives for district 23. At one time, he was Chairman of the Texas Freedom Caucus.<ref>{{cite web |author1=John Wayne Ferguson |title=Political Buzz: Freedom Caucus, led by local rep, vows to find government waste |url=https://www.galvnews.com/news/free/article_c065698d-9452-51c1-bbd3-72e069a273a0.html |website=www.galvnews.com |publisher=The Daily News |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |date=13 March 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Solange DeLisle |title=Texas Freedom Caucus vows to 'defend' teachers, students who refuse to wear a mask |url=https://houstondaily.com/stories/606757768-texas-freedom-caucus-vows-to-defend-teachers-students-who-refuse-to-wear-a-mask |website=houstondaily.com |publisher=Houston Daily |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |date=20 August 2021 }}</ref>
===Texas House of Representatives=== Middleton was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in November 2018<ref name="lrl.texas.gov"/> Middleton was re-elected in 2020.<ref name = ballot/> ;2018 In the 2018 primary election, he successfully challenged two-term incumbent representative Wayne Faircloth, an ally of House Speaker Joe Straus.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Staff |title=Mayes Middleton defeats Amanda Jamrok |url=https://www.reformaustin.org/elections/mayes-middleton-defeats-amanda-jamrok/ |website=www.reformaustin.org |publisher=Reform Austin |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |date=14 November 2018 |quote=In the Republican primary, Middleton defeated two-term incumbent Wayne Faircloth, an ally of House Speaker Joe Straus }}</ref><ref name="Houston Chronicle">{{cite web |author1=Nick Powell |title=State Rep.-elect Mayes Middleton eager to prove his conservative bona fides |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/State-Rep-elect-Mayes-Middleton-leans-in-on-13501898.php |website=www.houstonchronicle.com |publisher=Houston Chronicle |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |date=1 January 2019 }}</ref> In the November 6, 2018, general election Middleton defeated Democrat Amanda Jamrok.<ref name="Houston Chronicle"/> ;2020 Middleton ran unopposed in the Republican primary election held on March 3, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayes Middleton |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Mayes_Middleton |website=ballotpedia.org |publisher=Ballotpedia |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en }}</ref> He defeated Democrat Jeff Antonelli in the 2020 general election.<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Texas State House - District 23 Election Results |url=https://www.usatoday.com/elections/results/race/2020-11-03-state_house-TX-45958/ |website=www.usatoday.com |publisher=USA Today |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |date=3 November 2020 }}</ref>
====House committee assignments==== * 87th legislative session<ref>{{cite web |title=87th Legislature Regular Session - Committee Assignments - Rep. Mayes Middleton |url=https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=23 |website=house.texas.gov |publisher=Texas Legislature Online |access-date=3 January 2022 |location=Austin, Texas |language=en |quote=Committees: }}</ref> ** Insurance ** Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence ** Local & Consent Calendars ** State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory ** Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund Advisory * 86th legislative session<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayes Middleton |url=https://lrl.texas.gov/legeLeaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=5826&searchparams=chamber=~city=~countyID=0~RcountyID=~district=~first=~gender=~last=~leaderNote=~leg=86~party=~roleDesc=~Committee= |website=lrl.texas.gov |publisher=Legislative Reference Library of Texas |access-date=3 January 2022 |ref=Committee Information |location=Austin, Texas |language=en }}</ref> ** Co-chair, Coastal Barrier System ** Elections ** Local & Consent Calendars ** Urban Affairs
====Senate committee assignments==== * 88th legislative session<ref>{{cite web |title=87th Legislature Regular Session - Committee Assignments - Rep. Mayes Middleton |url=https://capitol.texas.gov/Members/MemberInfo.aspx?Leg=88&Chamber=S&Code=A1350 |website=capitol.texas.gov |publisher=Texas Legislature Online |access-date=24 October 2023 |location=Austin, Texas |language=en |quote=Committees: }}</ref> ** Administration ** Business & Commerce ** Committee of the Whole Senate ** Education ** Vice Chair, Subcommittee on Higher Education ** Jurisprudence ** State Affairs
===2022 Texas Senate race=== On November 30, 2021, Middleton filed to run for the Texas Senate for district 11.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Patrick Svitek |title=Longtime state Sen. Larry Taylor, best known for his work on education issues, says he won't run for reelection |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/30/larry-taylor-texas-senate-reelection/ |website=www.texastribune.org |publisher=The Texas Tribune |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |date=30 November 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Matt Hollis |title=Local state rep files for state Senate |url=https://baytownsun.com/news/article_9af8080c-570e-11ec-899c-2b711395a827.html |website=baytownsun.com |publisher=The Baytown Sun |access-date=30 December 2021 |language=en |date=7 December 2021 }}</ref>
On December 28, 2021, Middleton announced the endorsement of former US president Donald Trump.<ref>{{cite web |author1=John Wayne Ferguson |title=Political Buzz: Trump endorses Middleton in state Senate race |url=https://www.galvnews.com/news/article_a7ec9bc4-6f0d-5f60-979a-16306f7b9cb2.html |website=www.galvnews.com |publisher=The Daily News |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |date=28 December 2021 }}</ref> In a statement endorsing Middleton's senate race, Trump called Middleton "a very effective leader in the Texas House" and said his "voting record on conservative issues is second to none," closing by writing, "I am proud to give my Complete and Total Endorsement to a MAGA champion, Mayes Middleton."<ref>{{cite web |author1=Matt Hollis |title=State representative gets nod of endorsement from Trump Baytownsun.com |url=https://baytownsun.com/news/article_e3a851e2-6915-11ec-9448-ff5865eefc11.html |website=baytownsun.com |publisher=The Baytown Sun |access-date=30 December 2021 |language=en |date=30 December 2021 |quote=In an email, Trump wrote, “Texas Representative Mayes Middleton, who chairs the Texas Freedom Caucus, is a very effective leader in the Texas House. His voting record on conservative issues is second to none. Mayes championed the forensic audit to identify Voter Fraud in the 2020 Presidential Election, he knows (Critical Race Theory) indoctrination is wrong for our school children, he co-authored the bill to triple security along the Texas border, and strongly supports our great Military and Vets, and our under siege Second Amendment. I am proud to give my Complete and Total Endorsement to a MAGA champion, Mayes Middleton.” }}</ref>
Middleton was elected without opposition in the 2022 general election.<ref>{{cite web|first=Keri|last=Heath| url=https://www.galvnews.com/news/article_e296fac1-e2d8-5bd6-b221-5be149455f9b.html| title=Middleton appears to have clinched Senate District 11|website=The Daily News}}</ref>
==Personal life== He and his wife, Macy, have four children. He is a Christian.<ref name="Houston Chronicle"/> The Middleton family currently resides in a home located on the east-end of Galveston Island.<ref name="houstonchronicle.com">{{cite web |author1=Diane Cowen |title=Beach house brings a new generation of memories for Wallisville-Galveston family |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/home/design/article/Beach-house-brings-a-new-generation-of-memories-14901698.php |website=www.houstonchronicle.com |publisher=Houston Chronicle |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |date=12 December 2019 }}</ref> The Middleton family also own a home in Wallisville, Texas, built by Middleton's great-grandparents in 1905.<ref name="houstonchronicle.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mayesmiddleton.com/about/|title=Mayes Middleton|website=Mayes Middleton for Texas State Representative About Mayes|language=en|access-date=6 February 2020}}</ref>
He serves on the board of directors of the Wallisville Heritage Park, a historical museum in Chambers County, Texas.<ref name="Mayes Middleton">{{cite web |title=Mayes Middleton |url=https://www.texaspolicy.com/about/people/mayes-middleton/ |publisher=Texas Public Policy Foundation |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Kevin Ladd |title=The Oldest Standing One-Room Schoolhouse in Chambers County |url=https://www.sfasu.edu/heritagecenter/6853.asp |website=www.sfasu.edu |publisher=Stephen F. Austin State University, Center for Regional Heritage Research |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |date=January 2013 }}</ref>
Middleton is a former member of the board of directors of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF). He was elected to the board in January 2016, but had to relinquish his seat in June 2017 when he announced his candidacy for the Texas House of Representatives due to a requirement in the foundation's bylaws.<ref>{{cite web |title=TPPF announces Mayes Middleton as newest board member |url=https://www.texaspolicy.com/press/tppf-announces-mayes-middleton-as-newest-board-member |website=www.texaspolicy.com |publisher=Texas Public Policy Foundation |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |date=13 January 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Faircloth Gets Potential Primary Challenger in Middleton |url=https://txelects.com/faircloth-gets-potential-primary-challenger-in-middleton/ |website=www.txelects.com |publisher=Texas Election Source LLC |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |date=3 June 2017 |quote=MIddleton is no longer on TPPF’s board. The group’s bylaws dictate that board members automatically relinquish their seats as soon as they announce or file for state/federal office }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Ross Ramsey |title=Who is the establishment, anyway? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91536920/who-is-the-establishment-anyway/ |website=newspapers.com |publisher=Longview News-Journal |access-date=31 December 2021 |location=Longview, Texas |page=A4 |language=en |date=16 January 2018 |quote=Mayes Middleton, a conservative who until last year served on the board of the Texas Public Policy Foundation }}</ref>
In 2017, he served as a member of the executive committee for the Texas Business Leadership Council, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization of Texas-based CEOs and business executives that advocates for free enterprise public policies in Texas government.<ref name="Mayes Middleton"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Mission Overview |url=http://www.txblc.org/ |website=www.txblc.org |publisher=Texas Business Leadership Council |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=en |quote=The Texas Business Leadership Council was created in 1994 as a non-partisan 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation that provides public policy research and recommendations to our state’s elected leadership. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Staff |title=Woody L. Hunt Honored as Business Leader, Philanthropist, and Education Reformer |url=https://elpasoheraldpost.com/woody-l-hunt-honored-business-leader-philanthropist-education-reformer/ |website=elpasoheraldpost.com |publisher=El Paso Herald-Post |access-date=31 December 2021 |location=El Paso, Texas |language=en |date=6 December 2017 |quote=The Texas Business Leadership Council is a network of Texas based CEOs and senior business executives who advance a long-term vision of a prosperous Texas in a globally competitive business environment }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=Ken Paxton}} {{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Attorney General of Texas|years=2026}} {{s-inc|recent}} {{s-end}}
{{Texas State Senate}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Middleton, Mayes}} Category:1981 births Category:21st-century members of the Texas Legislature Category:Living people Category:People from Chambers County, Texas Category:People from Galveston, Texas Category:Republican Party members of the Texas House of Representatives Category:Republican Party Texas state senators Category:Texas Public Policy Foundation people Category:University of Texas at Austin alumni Category:University of Texas School of Law alumni