The 2026 Texas Comptroller race is shaping up as a pivotal contest. Former state Senator Don Huffines and Railroad Commission Chair Christi Craddick are vying to replace Glenn Hegar, who will depart to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.

Tasked with managing the state’s finances, forecasting revenue, and overseeing tax collection, the Comptroller holds one of Texas’ most critical offices.

As the Republican primary nears, voters face a choice between Huffines’ aggressive push for reform and Craddick’s steady regulatory experience.

Don Huffines: A Taxpayer’s Watchdog with a Bold Vision

Huffines launched his campaign for Texas Comptroller with a bold pledge: “I’m committing $10 million to this race on Day 1 because Texas taxpayers deserve a Comptroller who fights for them—and I’m in it to win.”

A Dallas businessman and former state senator, Huffines is running on his “DOGE Texas” initiative, which he describes as a mission to “expose waste, fraud, and abuse in government to increase efficiency and put every penny we save into property tax relief.”

This promise taps into widespread frustration among Texans grappling with rising property taxes and unchecked government spending.

Huffines’ track record bolsters his reformist credentials. During his Senate tenure from 2015 to 2019, he led what his campaign calls “the largest government corruption takedown in modern Texas history,” exposing a fraudulent Dallas County government agency, securing convictions for six officials, and shutting it down for misappropriating tens of millions in taxpayer dollars.

“The state of Texas spends more than $450 million a day, seven days a week,” Huffines noted in his announcement. “Right now, wasteful spending runs unchecked—Texans deserve a watchdog, not a rubber stamp.”

His campaign has resonated with conservative activists and leaders, earning endorsements from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who praised Huffines as a “tireless advocate” for fiscal conservatism, as well as Texas Right to Life, Texas Family Project, Texas Eagle Forum, Vivek Ramaswamy, Rep. Brian Harrison, Rep. Nate Schatzline, Matt Gaetz, and many more.

These endorsements reflect Huffines’ ability to galvanize a broad conservative coalition, from grassroots organizations to national influencers. He frames his candidacy as a state-level parallel to federal reform efforts, stating, “Texans demand audits and accountability—just as President Trump fights corruption in Washington, I will fight waste in Austin.”

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Huffines, a fifth-generation Texan and self-made businessman, emphasizes his independence, noting he is “the only officeholder in Texas who refused to take a single penny of government money because I work for you—not the government.”

His campaign also highlights his legislative record, including a 100% pro-life score from Texas Right to Life, a 99% rating from Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, and a 92% conservative score from Young Conservatives of Texas.

Addressing a contentious issue, Huffines argues, “Texans are forced to cover billions in education costs for illegal aliens while Texans are being taxed out of their homes. It’s time to bring DOGE to Texas, put Texans first, and ensure someone is watching how your hard-earned money is spent.”

Christi Craddick: Energy Expertise with Industry Support

Christi Craddick, a Midland native and chair of the Texas Railroad Commission since 2012, has spent over a decade overseeing the state’s oil and gas industry, a key driver of Texas’ economy.

Her campaign emphasizes her experience in regulatory management. She proposes applying these skills to modernize the Comptroller’s office, particularly by updating information technology systems and simplifying business audits, which she claims are overly complex for Texas companies.

“Throughout my tenure at the Commission, we have managed our work with efficiency, transparency, and common sense, reflecting the bedrock principles the Texas economy has been built upon,” Craddick said, crediting her leadership for fostering a free-market environment.

While the oil and gas sector contributed significantly to Texas’ economy in 2024, generating $27.3 billion in state and local taxes and royalties—approximately $74.8 million daily—through funds that supported schools, infrastructure, and public safety, per NewsWest 9, some question whether Craddick’s deep ties to the industry limit her perspective on the broader fiscal responsibilities of the Comptroller role.

Her campaign lists State Representative Tom Craddick, her father and Texas’ longest-serving legislator, as a primary supporter. She also relies heavily on oil and gas industry donors, with The Texan describing her as backed by “big-money donors” from the energy sector.

This narrow base of support has raised concerns among voters seeking a candidate with wider appeal.

 

While such criticisms are not universally shared, they underscore doubts about her ability to prioritize taxpayers over industry interests.

A Defining Moment for Texas Voters

The 2026 Comptroller race offers a stark contrast: Huffines’ hyper-focus on rooting out waste and delivering tax relief, backed by a robust conservative coalition, versus Craddick’s regulatory experience and energy industry-driven support.

Huffines’ $10 million personal investment and extensive endorsements from local grassroots supporters to state lawmakers and prominent national figures such as Vivek Ramaswamy position him as a transformative force ready to shake up Austin’s entrenched bureaucracy.

While Craddick is experienced in regulation, she risks being seen as too tethered to oil and gas interests, potentially limiting her ability to address the broader fiscal challenges facing Texas.

With the Texas House recently approving a $337 billion biennial budget for 2026-2027 now on the line, the next Comptroller will shape the state’s financial future. As the 2026 election approaches, voters will actively choose between Huffines’ Texas DOGE-inspired vision, firmly rooted in fiscal reform, and Craddick’s heavily industry-influenced experience.