Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed former state Sen. Don Huffines as Texas comptroller for the remainder of the year, filling the state’s top financial post after Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced he will step down at the end of July.
Huffines, a Dallas-area businessman and former Republican lawmaker, will assume the role on August 1, replacing Hancock, who has led the agency for the past year after succeeding former Comptroller Glenn Hegar.
Huffines defeated Hancock for the GOP nomination for Texas comptroller in March and will face Democratic opponent Sarah Eckhardt in the general election in November for the new term beginning January 1, 2027.
“Don Huffines brings the right mix of business experience and conservative principles to this vital office,” Abbott said in a statement. “He is a fifth-generation Texan, successful businessman, and proven conservative leader who puts taxpayers first. His private-sector experience and dedication to limited government make him exceptionally qualified to lead the state’s finances and protect every taxpayer dollar with integrity and accountability.”
Huffines said he was honored by the appointment.
“I’m honored by the trust Governor Abbott has placed in me,” Huffines said. “My commitment is simple: run government lean, protect every tax dollar, and keep Texas the best place to live, raise a family, and run a business.”
Huffines To Oversee State Finances
As comptroller, Huffines will oversee the collection of state taxes and fees, distribute state funds, manage unclaimed property, and provide transparency into state spending. The office also plays a key role in overseeing Texas’ Economic Stabilization Fund, commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund.
A Dallas-area native, Huffines co-founded Huffines Communities, one of the largest real estate development companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He represented Senate District 16 in the Texas Senate from 2015 to 2019, where he built a reputation as a fiscal conservative and advocate for government transparency.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Texas at Austin. Huffines and his wife, Mary Catherine, have five children and grandchildren.
Hancock To Leave Office After One Year
The appointment follows Hancock’s announcement on Wednesday that he will resign effective July 31, one year after taking over the comptroller’s office when Glenn Hegar departed to become chancellor of Texas A&M University.
In a letter to Abbott, Hancock confirmed his plans to leave the office at the end of the month.
Abbott thanked Hancock for his service, saying he guided the agency during what he described as a pivotal period for Texas.
“His leadership and experience, from the local school board to the Texas Legislature, helped make possible the launch of the largest school choice program in our nation’s history, expanding educational opportunity for Texas families,” Abbott wrote on X. “Thank you, Kelly, for your dedicated service to our great state and for helping deliver this historic achievement for generations of Texas students.”
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows also praised Hancock’s tenure.
“I have always appreciated Kelly’s partnership on many of the Legislature’s biggest conservative accomplishments during his time in the Senate,” Burrows said. “And I know many members who served with him in the House count him among the most dedicated champions for reforms that put Texas families first and kept our businesses, schools, and economy strong.”
