As the Texas State Senator from the 11th District and the president of an independent Texas oil and gas company, Mayes Middleton plays both a significant role in shaping public policy as well as having deep roots in Texas’s robust commodity business sectors including oil and gas, agriculture, ranching, and farming.  

Middleton Oil Company, where Mayes is now President, was founded by his father, John Middleton, in 1972. While the focus of the company has been on oil and gas, with more than 60 wells in south Texas, the Middletons diversified their portfolio to include managing mineral holdings, ranching and farming operations in Chambers, Jefferson, Kimble, Liberty, and Webb counties. 

When Mayes sat down with the Lone Star Standard on Inauguration Day 2025, he had an optimistic view of the future of the country and of Texas although he was sober about the challenges that face the state. 

“Today is a new day for America. There’s going to be a new golden age,” said Middleton. 

While he was optimistic about the future, a recent tragedy in his district was top-of-mind for Middleton. 

“Deputy Vargas was murdered in a raid in Harris County,” said Middleton. The death of the deputy struck Middleton as a human tragedy that raised significant concerns about community safety and crime control and highlighted, in his mind, the policy measures that have been attempted to prevent these kinds of occurrences.

“The killer that did this was out on bond and he was a violent felon,” said Middleton. “Senator Huffman, who’s my colleague in Brazoria County, has tried to get the constitutional amendment done that would prohibit certain violent crimes, sexual crimes, from being eligible for a bond.” 

Middleton believes strongly that there needs to be reform in the way that some in the Texas justice system handle violent offenders, so that violent criminals do not get second chances that could endanger Texans lives. 

Although the Texas Senate has had some success on this effort, the Texas House of Representatives has not due to the high vote threshold. “I need 100 voters for that. It’s passed the Senate multiple times and has died in the House two sessions in a row because not enough Democrats are willing to stand up for law and order,” said Middleton.   

Middleton said it is just common-sense for most Texans. “We need to be tough on crime because, look, if we’re not, your family is going to get hurt.”

As the conversation turned to public health, Middleton explained his upcoming legislative efforts to reform SNAP benefits in Texas. 

“Texas spends billions of dollars per year on SNAP benefits and there is a lot of waste, fraud, and abuse in the system.” 

He laid out his argument of why the program should focus on providing Texans with nutritional support and not subsidizing what he sees as unhealthy food choices.

“It’s a supplemental nutrition assistance program. It’s for nutrition and well-being, right? Well, clearly, sodas and junk food are not nutritional and not good for us,” said Middleton. His Senate Bill 379 aims to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for sugary drinks like soda and other “junk foods.” 

Middleton sees this effort to improve the health of Texans as another practical public policy matter that will resonate with Texans. He applauded the Make Texans Health Again effort, led by Travis McCormick.

“This is really, again, a common-sense thing. You know, this needs to be about nutrition and health… I think people are waking up,” said Middleton referring to what he sees as a growing understanding of the importance of food in public health.

On education, which is a major topic at the state legislature, Middleton expressed his concerns that students are not being taught a full and complete history.

“There was a study that showed about a third of Generation Z had a positive view of communism… that’s alot. That’s a big number,” said Middleton. 

Legislation he filed, Senate Bill 453, requires the teaching of “modern conflicts,” including the history of communism and its adverse effects across the globe. 

“Communism has never worked anywhere. It’s been tried, and it’s been a spectacular failure. Millions of people have died because of it,” said Middleton. 

He believes that Texas education should place an emphasis on those aspects of history in order to instill an appreciation for U.S. history and the freedoms enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. 

Senator Middleton has been busy filing bills at the legislature. He has filed more than 100 pieces of legislation for the 89th legislative session which is underway now. The focus of his legislative efforts goes beyond just the public safety, health, and education efforts but he also is focusing on government accountability and transparency and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively and transparently. 

One of the key issues in that area that Senator Middleton has been focused on for several legislative sessions is the issue of taxpayer-funded lobbying, who he referred to as “Austin hired gun lobbyists.” He believes they are often hired to lobby against the interests of the taxpayers. 

“They’re using your school tax dollars to lobby against school choice,” said Middleton. “They’re using your property tax dollars to lobby against property tax relief and reform.” 

“We don’t need an Austin lobbyist middleman. That is our job to represent our constituents directly,” said Middleton. Instead, he says, “your local property taxes are diverted to the pockets of registered Austin lobbyists.” 

For any elected officials who plan to become lobbyists themselves, Middleton takes issue with that and has legislation he hopes will address what he sees as a revolving door. 

“Look, we don’t want politicians profiting off their position,” said Middleton. “It’s about public service and not self-service.”

His legislation aims to create a cooling-off period for legislators before they can become lobbyists ensuring that, according to Middleton, decisions at the legislature are not made in pursuit of a future lobbying job at the expense of their constituents.  

With an ambitious set of legislative proposals he thinks will address major issues across the state, Middleton was optimistic about the future of Texas.