Key Takeaways
- Democratic state senator Nathan Johnson defeated Republican Mayes Middleton to become Texas’ next attorney general and the first Democrat to hold the office since Dan Morales left in 1999.
- Johnson composed music for 67 episodes and five films of the English-language Dragon Ball Z, including Fusion Reborn and Wrath of the Dragon.
- Johnson will succeed Ken Paxton in January 2027, pledging to represent Texans’ interests and “above all uphold the rule of law.”
Nathan Johnson is trading anime soundtracks for one of Texas' most powerful legal positions.
The Democratic state senator, who previously composed music for Dragon Ball Z, defeated Republican Mayes Middleton in Tuesday's election to become Texas' next attorney general, replacing Ken Paxton.
According to the Associated Press, Johnson held 52.3 percent of the vote early Wednesday, compared to Middleton's 46 percent, with Libertarian candidate Tom Oxford receiving approximately 2 percent.
The victory makes Johnson the first Democrat elected Texas attorney general since Dan Morales, who held the position from 1991 to 1999.
However, long before entering politics, Johnson had already made his mark on pop culture by composing music for the English-language version of Dragon Ball Z.
"If you grew up watching 'Dragon Ball Z,' you might know me better than you think: I composed the musical scores for 67 episodes and five movies and had a great time doing it," Johnson said in a video shared on Facebook.
His work included several films from the beloved anime franchise, including Dragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest, The Tree of Might, Broly – Second Coming, Fusion Reborn, and Wrath of the Dragon.
During a conversation with Texas state Sen. Taylor Rehmet, Johnson recalled working on the series while raising his young son.
"I wrote the musical scores, wall to wall, of 67 episodes of 'Dragon Ball Z' and five of the movies," Johnson said. "I had a one-year-old at the time, and I remember him sitting on my knee and stuff blowing up. He's like, 'Oh, Daddy Goku!' He thought it was super cool."
Johnson added that the experience gave him an unexpected connection to younger audiences.
"It gave me a creative outlet and a cultural connection that very few people have had the opportunity to have," he explained.
The Fort Worth native eventually transitioned from music production into law, studying at the University of Texas at Austin before building a career in business litigation.
In 2018, he entered the Texas Senate after defeating Republican incumbent Don Huffines. According to his campaign website, Johnson helped pass 134 bills into law during his four legislative sessions.
His latest victory comes amid Democratic gains in the 2026 midterm elections, which saw the party capture control of both chambers of Congress.
Following his win, Johnson acknowledged the responsibility of his new position.
"This is a tremendous honor, and a tremendous responsibility," he said. "Texans voted for an attorney general who will represent them and the interests of our state, and who will above all uphold the rule of law."
Johnson is expected to take office in January 2027, overseeing an agency responsible for consumer protection, child support enforcement, and representing Texas in legal matters.
