2026 Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts election
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November 3, 2026
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| Elections in Texas |
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 Government |
The 2026 Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to select the next Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Incumbent Republican Comptroller Glenn Hegar was elected to a third term with 56.4% of the vote in 2022; he resigned on July 1, 2025, to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System and was succeeded by his chief clerk Kelly Hancock as acting Comptroller.[1]
Hancock ran for a full term, but lost the primary to former state senator Don Huffines.[2] Not long after losing the primary, Hancock announced that he would also resign from the office.[3] Governor Greg Abbott then appointed Huffines to serve out the remainder of the term as acting Comproller.[4]
Huffines is facing the Democratic nominee state senator Sarah Eckhardt in the general election.
Republican primary
Background
In March 2025, it was announced that Glenn Hegar would resign to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.[5] Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and former State Senator Don Huffines announced their candidacy.[6] In July 2025, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Kelly Hancock to serve as acting Comptroller until the election.[1] Hancock had been serving as a State Senator from District 9, but resigned prior to his appointment to become chief clerk of the Comptroller's office in order to get around state law barring the Governor's appointment of legislators during their terms.[7]
Candidates
Nominee
- Don Huffines, former state senator from the 16th district (2015–2019) and candidate for governor in 2022[6]
Eliminated in primary
- Michael Berlanga, candidate for Texas House of Representatives in 2018[8]
- Christi Craddick, member of the Texas Railroad Commission (2012–present) and daughter of former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Tom Craddick[6]
- Kelly Hancock, acting comptroller (2025–present) and former state senator from the 9th district (2013–2025)[7]
Endorsements
Michael Berlanga
Christi Craddick
- State legislators
- Tom Craddick, former speaker of the Texas House of Representatives (2003–2009) from the 82nd district (1969–present) (candidate's father)[12]
- Individuals
- G. Brint Ryan, tax consultant[12]
- Kelcy Warren, CEO of Energy Transfer[12]
Kelly Hancock
- Statewide officials
- Greg Abbott, governor of Texas (2015–present)[7]
- Glenn Hegar, former state comptroller (2015–2025) and chancellor of the Texas A&M University System (2025–present)[7]
- Labor unions
- Newspapers
Don Huffines
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[16]
- U.S. senators
- U.S. representatives
- Matt Gaetz, former FL-01 (2017–2024)[12]
- Brandon Gill, TX-26 (2025–present)[12]
- Wesley Hunt, TX-38 (2023–present)[17]
- Ronny Jackson, TX-13 (2021–present)[17]
- Ron Paul, former TX-22 (1976–1977, 1979–1985) and TX-14 (1997–2013)[18]
- Chip Roy, TX-21 (2019–present)[17]
- Keith Self, TX-03 (2023–present)[12]
- State legislators
- Matt Rinaldi, former state representative from the 115th district (2015–2019) and chair of the Texas Republican Party (2021–2024)[12]
- Individuals
- Rafael Cruz, pastor and father of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz[12]
- Riley Gaines, swimmer and conservative activist[19]
- Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA (deceased)[19]
- Jim McIngvale, businessman[12]
- Chad Prather, political commentator and comedian[12]
- Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur[12]
- Organizations
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Christi Craddick |
Kelly Hancock |
Don Huffines |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Houston/YouGov[25] | January 20–31, 2026 | 550 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 21% | 13% | 33% | 4%[b] | 29% |
| Texas Southern University[26] | August 6–12, 2025 | 1,500 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 22% | 10% | 21% | – | 47% |
Results
Huffines
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
Hancock
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
Craddick
- 30–40%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Don Huffines | 1,191,151 | 57.4 | |
| Republican | Kelly Hancock (incumbent) | 490,933 | 23.7 | |
| Republican | Christi Craddick | 312,314 | 15.1 | |
| Republican | Michael Berlanga | 80,949 | 3.9 | |
| Total votes | 2,075,347 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic primary
Background
Following the announcement that longtime U.S. Representative Michael McCaul was retiring from Congress, state senator Sarah Eckhardt announced her intention to run for the position.[27][28] On the candidate filing deadline, Eckhardt announced that she was instead going to run for Comptroller.[29]
Candidates
Nominee
- Sarah Eckhardt, state senator from the 14th district (2020–present)[30]
Eliminated in primary
- Michael Lange, candidate for Texas Land Commissioner in 2022[31][32]
- Savant Moore, entrepreneur[8]
Endorsements
Sarah Eckhardt
- Labor unions
- Organizations
- Newspapers
Results
Eckhardt
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- 90–100%
Moore
- 60–70%
Lange
- 30–40%
- 50–60%
- 90–100%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sarah Eckhardt | 1,317,024 | 64.1 | |
| Democratic | Savant Moore | 392,043 | 19.1 | |
| Democratic | Michael Lange | 346,484 | 16.9 | |
| Total votes | 2,055,551 | 100.0 | ||
Third party conventions
Candidates
Declared
- Alonzo Echavarria-Garza, (Libertarian) Hearne city manager and nominee in 2022[41]
- Shehla Faizi, (Green)[42]
General election
The March 3 primaries resulted in Don Huffines and Sarah Eckhardt winning their respective primaries by wide margins.
On July 1, 2026 acting comptroller Hancock announced that he would be resigning from his office at the end of the month.[3] The next day Governor Abbott announced that he would be appointing Huffines to serve out the remainder of Hancock's term.[4]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Don Huffines (R) |
Sarah Eckhardt (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Public Opinion Research[43] | August 21–24, 2026 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 43%[c] | 41% | 4%[d] | 11% |
| University of Texas/Texas Politics Project[44] | August 5–13, 2026 | 1,200 (RV) | ± 2.83% | 41% | 34% | 4%[e] | 21% |
| Texas Southern University[45] | July 27–30, 2026 | 1,200 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 46% | 39% | 2%[f] | 13% |
| University of Texas/YouGov[46] | June 5–12, 2026 | 1,200 (RV) | ± 3.47% | 40% | 34% | 4%[g] | 21% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Don Huffines | |||
| Democratic | Sarah Eckhardt | |||
| Libertarian | Alonzo Echavarria-Garza | |||
| Green | Shehla Faizi | |||
| Total votes | ||||
Notes
- 1 2 Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ↑ Michael Berlanga with 4%
- ↑ With voters who lean towards a given candidate
- ↑ "Would not vote in that race" with 3%; Alonzo Echavarria-Garza (L) with 1%
- ↑ V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza (L) with 2%; Shehla Faizi (G) with 1%; Someone else with 1%
- ↑ Alonzo Echavarria-Garza (L) with 2%
- ↑ "Someone else" with 2%; Alonzo Echavarria-Garza (L) & Shehla Faizi (G) with 1%
References
- 1 2 Montgomery, David (June 22, 2025). "How Kelly Hancock went from Fort Worth's state senator to Texas comptroller". Fort Worth Report. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ↑ Dyer, Meridith (March 3, 2026). "Don Huffines Secures Strong Win in Republican Comptroller Primary". The Texan. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
- 1 2 Serrano, Alejandro (July 1, 2026). "Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock to step down as Texas CFO". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- 1 2 Serrano, Alejandro (July 2, 2026). "Gov. Abbott taps Don Huffines for Texas CFO opening". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
- ↑ Priest, Jessica (March 7, 2025). "Glenn Hegar named as Texas A&M System's next leader". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- 1 2 3 Scherer, Jasper (March 7, 2025). "Christi Craddick, Don Huffines announce bids for Texas comptroller after Hegar tapped for A&M chancellor". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Despart, Zach; Serrano, Alejandro (June 19, 2025). "Former Texas state Sen. Kelly Hancock to become acting comptroller, run for permanent job". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- 1 2 "Candidate Information". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ↑ "Berlanga is the most qualified GOP pick for Texas comptroller". Austin American-Statesman. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Michael Berlanga would be a boring Texas comptroller. That's why you should vote for him". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Michael Berlanga is a worthy long shot in GOP primary for Texas comptroller". San Antonio Express-News. February 1, 2026. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Huffines, Craddick Pave Lanes in Texas Comptroller Race With Endorsements". The Texan. April 7, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ↑ "CLEAT Political Action Committee". CLEAT. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ↑ "We recommend in the Republican primary for Texas comptroller". Dallas Morning News. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Star-Telegram endorsement: This Republican has a head start as comptroller". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. February 15, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ↑ Runnels, Ayden (February 28, 2026). "Trump backs Sid Miller and Don Huffines in Texas GOP primary". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Jackson Endorses Huffines for Comptroller". The Amarillo Pioneer. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Don Huffines Declares Himself The "MAGA Candidate" in Texas Comptroller's Race, Opponents Respond". Dallas Express. September 4, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- 1 2 "Huffines Backed by Gaines, Kirk In 'DOGE Texas' Comptroller Race". The Dallas Express via Yahoo. June 12, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 GOA Texas Endorsements". GOA Texas. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ↑ "Republicans for National Renewal Endorses Don Huffines for Texas Comptroller". Republicans for National Renewal. July 3, 2025. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ↑ Waltens, Brandon (March 28, 2025). "Ted Cruz Endorses Don Huffines for Texas Comptroller". Texas Scorecard. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- ↑ "Texas Gun Rights – One Big Beautiful Ballot – 2026 Republican Primary". January 14, 2026. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Young Conservatives of Texas Endorses Don Huffines for Texas Comptroller". Young Conservatives of Texas. December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ↑ "Texas Primaries 2026" (PDF). University of Houston. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
- ↑ Adams, Michael; Jones, Mark (August 20, 2025). "The 2026 Down-Ballot Texas Republican & Democratic Primaries: Attorney General, Comptroller, & Agriculture Commissioner". Texas Southern University. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ↑ "Texas Rep. McCaul says he won't seek reelection". POLITICO. September 14, 2025. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ↑ Hunt, Kailey (October 27, 2025). "Austin Democrat Sarah Eckhardt announces she will run for Michael McCaul's seat in Congress". KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ↑ Serrano, Alejandro (December 8, 2025). "Sen. Sarah Eckhardt announces run for Texas comptroller". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ↑ Nguyen, Tanya (December 8, 2025). "Sen. Eckhardt announces campaign for Texas Comptroller". KXAN. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- ↑ Royster, Rachel; Dearman, Eleanor (November 28, 2025). "Candidates are gearing up for the March 2026 primary. Here's who is running". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
- ↑ "Land Commissioner: Texas Primary Results". CNN Politics. April 19, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
- ↑ "Texas AFL-CIO COPE Announces 2026 Primary Election Endorsements". Texas AFL-CIO. January 25, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus Announces 44 Endorsements for March Primary". OutSmart. January 19, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Eckhardt is Democrats' best bet to restore comptroller's oversight role". Austin American-Statesman. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ↑ "We recommend in the Democratic primary for Texas comptroller". Dallas Morning News. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Star-Telegram endorsement: Three Democrats vie to run for Texas comptroller". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ↑ "As comptroller, Sarah Eckhardt could help Texas Democrats get their swagger back". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ↑ "State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt our choice in Democratic primary for Texas comptroller". San Antonio Express-News. February 14, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ↑ "March 2026 Primary Election Endorsements for the Austin Area • The Austin Chronicle". The Austin Chronicle. February 12, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ↑ Schmidt, Nolan. "9 Libertarians vie for state seats in November election". seguingazette.com. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ↑ "Candidates for the 2026 Nomination Conventions". Green Party of Texas. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ↑ "New Poll: In Texas General Election, Talarico Leads Paxton by Six Points; Abbott Leads Hinojosa by Seven Points". Texas Public Opinion Research. August 27, 2026. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
- ↑ "University of Texas / Texas Politics Project Poll – Texas Statewide Survey" (PDF). University of Texas. August 25, 2026. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ "Texas 2026: U.S. Senate, Governor, and Other Statewide Races" (PDF). Texas Southern University. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
- ↑ "University of Texas / Texas Politics Project Poll Texas Statewide Survey" (PDF). University of Texas. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
External links
Official campaign websites