With the Nov. 3 general election approaching, Texas state Sen. Nathan Johnson is making his case for attorney general on a platform centered on government accountability, consumer protection and restoring public confidence in one of the state’s most powerful elected offices.

The Dallas Democrat, who has served in the Texas Senate for eight years, is positioning himself as an alternative to the political controversies and partisan battles that have defined the office under Attorney General Ken Paxton.

In an exclusive interview with Dallas Weekly, Johnson discussed his approach to institutional reform, economic opportunity, civil rights enforcement and the responsibilities of an attorney general to communities historically underserved by state government.

For Johnson, the central question is not simply whether the office needs new leadership, but whether Texans can trust that leadership to enforce the law without political favoritism.

Restoring Integrity to the Attorney General’s Office

Johnson argues that restoring public trust requires more than announcing reforms or reorganizing departments. Instead, he believes meaningful accountability begins with the conduct of the attorney general and the people entrusted to serve alongside him.

“They’re going to believe that we are an office of integrity when we demonstrate that we have integrity,” Johnson said.

Although he intends to introduce institutional safeguards, Johnson acknowledged that he would need to assess the office’s internal operations before determining the full extent of necessary changes.

Among his proposals is an internal reporting system that would allow employees to raise concerns about misconduct without having to report directly to the person responsible.

“If I’m doing something wrong, I want to make sure that the people under me have somebody to complain to other than me,” Johnson said.

He also emphasized recruiting public servants rather than employees motivated primarily by partisan ideology.

The proposal reflects Johnson’s broader argument that the office should prioritize its legal responsibilities over political objectives. However, the specific structure of his proposed accountability system remains to be determined.

Environmental Justice and Economic Opportunity

For Black and Brown Texans, Johnson believes the consequences of government decisions often extend beyond political disputes and into everyday concerns about health, economic opportunity and neighborhood investment.

He pointed to environmental regulation as an example, criticizing Paxton’s challenges to federal clean air and water protections.

Johnson argued that weakening environmental safeguards can disproportionately affect communities already facing greater exposure to pollution and related health risks.

While acknowledging that federal agencies can exceed their legal authority, he said his administration would distinguish legitimate legal challenges from attempts to dismantle environmental protections.

“I’m surely not going to try to dismantle a system that is protecting people’s quality of life,” Johnson said.

Johnson also addressed the state’s Historically Underutilized Business program, which has supported contracting opportunities for businesses owned by women and minorities.

He criticized the comptroller’s decision to discontinue the program on constitutional grounds, arguing that an individual state official should not unilaterally determine whether an established state program can continue operating.

Johnson said he would use the attorney general’s legal authority to challenge a refusal to administer the program, while recognizing that the Legislature and courts have distinct roles in determining its future.

His position could carry particular significance for minority-owned businesses in Dallas, where access to public contracts can provide opportunities for growth in communities that have historically experienced disinvestment.

Public Contracts and Taxpayer Accountability

Johnson also identified government contracting as an area requiring greater scrutiny.

He argued that prolonged single-party control can create relationships between government officials and private contractors that make favoritism and misconduct more difficult to identify.

“I think we’ve had three decades of single-party rule, and I think that’s problematic no matter which party is in power,” Johnson said.

His proposed approach would involve closer coordination between the attorney general’s office, the state comptroller and other agencies responsible for overseeing public spending.

Johnson specifically highlighted the attorney general’s ability to issue civil investigative demands when potential wrongdoing warrants further examination.

Such investigations, he said, could help determine whether taxpayers are being overcharged, contractors are receiving preferential treatment or competitive bidding processes are being undermined.

Rather than proposing an entirely new oversight agency, Johnson emphasized using existing investigative authority and improving cooperation among state offices.

Civil Rights and Equal Protection Under the Law

On civil rights, Johnson said his administration would take allegations of systemic discrimination seriously, particularly those involving public institutions.

Dallas Weekly asked how he would approach discrimination in housing, employment, education and voting access, including cases involving government agencies.

Johnson distinguished between representing individual Texans in private legal disputes and addressing broader patterns of unlawful conduct affecting communities.

“The attorney general can’t be everyone’s individual lawyer,” Johnson said.

However, he argued that when individual experiences reveal institutional violations of state law or constitutional protections, the attorney general has a responsibility to intervene within the office’s legal authority.

Johnson identified education, student loans, voting access and voter application procedures as areas where proper enforcement is essential.

He also emphasized the role of public participation in identifying government misconduct.

His response centered on enforcing existing legal protections rather than outlining new civil rights legislation or a separate enforcement division.

Consumer Protection, Corporate Power and Artificial Intelligence

One of Johnson’s most detailed policy priorities involves expanding consumer protection and antitrust enforcement.

He argued that concentrated corporate power can create conditions for predatory lending, discriminatory housing practices, deceptive fees and other conduct that disproportionately burdens working-class households.

Johnson said his administration would dedicate additional personnel, time and resources to investigating consumer complaints and enforcing competition laws.

“I will take a rigorous approach to antitrust and a rigorous approach to consumer protection, without regard to who is my donor or who is my friend,” Johnson said.

He also acknowledged that Paxton’s office has pursued worthwhile consumer protection and antitrust cases, although he criticized what he described as politically selective enforcement.

For Dallas residents struggling with housing costs and everyday expenses, Johnson specifically identified junk fees and predatory lending as practices deserving scrutiny.

His concerns also extend to emerging technologies.

Johnson warned that artificial intelligence is already being used in ways that can manipulate compensation for contract workers. He said he would examine whether existing Texas and federal laws adequately protect employees from such practices.

Where those laws fall short, Johnson intends to work with the Legislature to update them.

“One part of affordability is being able to earn money. It’s not just high prices,” Johnson said.

His approach would expand the conversation around affordability beyond consumer prices to include wages, employment practices and the influence of technology on labor markets.

The First 100 Days: Rebuilding Before Restructuring

Asked to identify his first three priorities if elected, Johnson focused largely on the internal operations of the attorney general’s office.

His initial agenda includes recruiting qualified personnel, reviewing consumer protection and employment laws, and evaluating whether existing divisions have sufficient resources to fulfill their responsibilities.

He suggested that staff may need to be reassigned to strengthen areas such as consumer protection and Medicaid fraud investigations.

Johnson also expects personnel changes, although he said current employees committed to public service would be welcome to remain.

Drawing on his legislative experience, he emphasized that successful policy implementation depends on capable staff and effective organizational structures.

“Really, the first 100 days I think is about setting yourself up for success, not swinging for the seats,” Johnson said.

Beyond internal restructuring, Johnson identified repairing relationships with district attorneys and county attorneys as an early priority.

He criticized what he characterized as an antagonistic relationship between Paxton’s office and local prosecutors, arguing that the attorney general should support their public safety responsibilities rather than compete with them.

Johnson said he intends to meet with prosecutors across Texas to establish stronger working relationships.

A Campaign Centered on Enforcement

As Texans prepare to vote Nov. 3, Johnson’s campaign presents a vision of the attorney general’s office built around consistent legal enforcement, institutional accountability and stronger protections for consumers and communities.

His proposals place particular emphasis on the everyday consequences of government decisions, from environmental standards and public contracting to workplace protections and voting procedures.

Still, several of his proposed reforms remain broad. Johnson has not yet detailed the precise structure of his internal accountability system, the staffing increases required for consumer protection or the legislative changes he would pursue.

Those questions would become central to evaluating his agenda if elected.

For Black and Brown communities in Dallas, the stakes extend beyond the political identity of the next attorney general. The office’s decisions can influence economic opportunities, public resources and the enforcement of laws intended to protect residents from discrimination and misconduct.

Johnson’s argument is that the office can better serve those communities by applying the law consistently and rebuilding its commitment to public service.

Whether that vision translates into measurable change would ultimately depend on the authority he exercises, the reforms he implements and the results Texans experience.

For more information on Senator Nathan Johnson’s campaign for Texas Attorney General, visit https://nathanfortexas.com.