Former state Sen. Don Huffines announced Thursday that his campaign for Texas Comptroller has raised over $15 million — a figure that appears to set a new fundraising record for the office and signals a dramatically escalated race in what has traditionally been a lower-profile statewide contest.
“This campaign isn’t powered by lobbyists or the swamp in Austin. It’s fueled by Texans who believe it’s time to put taxpayers first,” Huffines said in a press release. “We’re building a grassroots movement, and we’re just getting started.”
The $15 million haul far exceeds historical norms.
In 2022, incumbent Comptroller Glenn Hegar raised roughly $2 million over the course of his campaign. In his 2014 bid for the office, he brought in around $1.4 million in a single primary reporting period. Previous candidates have typically raised low single-digit millions across an entire cycle, making Huffines’ total a significant outlier.
While a full breakdown of donations has not yet been released, Huffines’ campaign acknowledges substantial self-funding, which supporters say demonstrates serious personal commitment and “skin in the game.” Some observers also point to likely support from prominent donors, including Huffines’ brother, real estate developer Phillip Huffines.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Huffines is campaigning on his “DOGE Texas” initiative —a reform plan aimed at auditing state agencies, eliminating waste and fraud, and making state government more efficient and accountable. He says he will use the Comptroller’s office to audit state agencies, eliminate inefficiencies, and return savings to Texans in the form of property tax relief.
The Comptroller of Public Accounts serves as Texas’ chief financial officer, forecasting revenue, managing state funds, and overseeing tax collection. The seat is being vacated by Glenn Hegar, who is set to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.
Huffines has locked in endorsements from major figures, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Ron Paul, Riley Gaines, Vivek Ramaswamy, Charlie Kirk, and a supermajority of the Texas GOP Executive Committee.
“These leaders know I won’t back down,” Huffines said. “As Comptroller, I’ll audit government, root out waste and fraud, and fight to return the savings to taxpayers.”
Huffines, a Dallas businessman and former state senator, previously exposed a corrupt Dallas County agency that led to six criminal convictions and the shutdown of the office. His campaign emphasizes his record as a fiscal reformer who has never accepted government funding as a legislator.
His main GOP rival, Texas Railroad Commission Chair Christi Craddick, has served in statewide office since 2012 and brings more than a decade of experience regulating the state’s vital energy sector. Her campaign emphasizes modernizing Comptroller operations, streamlining audits, and maintaining transparency. Supporters cite her regulatory record as evidence that she can effectively manage complex agencies and budgets.
Craddick’s donor base includes many from the oil and gas industry — a reflection of her professional background and family ties. She is the daughter of State Rep. Tom Craddick, the longest-serving member of the Texas House.
The 2026 race offers voters a clear contrast in style and priorities.
While Huffines is campaigning as a bold fiscal reformer focused on rooting out waste, Craddick is running on her experience managing large institutions and navigating regulatory complexity.
With the Texas Legislature having recently approved a $337 billion biennial budget, the stakes for the next Comptroller are high. Huffines’ fundraising edge has brought unusual attention to the race — and may help shape the narrative heading into the Republican primary.