2026 Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts election
November 3, 2026
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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]
Republican primary
Background
In March 2025, it was announced that Glenn Hegar would resign to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.[2] Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and former State Senator Don Huffines announced their candidacy.[3] 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.[4]
Candidates
Declared
- Michael Berlanga, candidate for Texas House of Representatives in 2018[5]
- Christi Craddick, member of the Texas Railroad Commission (2012–present) and daughter of former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Tom Craddick[3]
- Kelly Hancock, acting comptroller (2025–present) and former state senator from the 9th district (2013—2025)[4]
- Don Huffines, former state senator from the 16th district (2015–2019) and candidate for governor in 2022[3]
Endorsements
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)[6]
- Individuals
- G. Brint Ryan, tax consultant[6]
- Kelcy Warren, CEO of Energy Transfer[6]
Kelly Hancock
- Statewide officials
- Greg Abbott, governor of Texas (2015–present)[4]
- Glenn Hegar, former state comptroller (2015–2025) and chancellor of the Texas A&M University System (2025–present)[4]
- Labor unions
Don Huffines
- U.S. senators
- U.S. representatives
- Matt Gaetz, former FL-01 (2017–2024)[6]
- Brandon Gill, TX-26 (2025–present)[6]
- Keith Self, TX-03 (2023–present)[6]
- Ron Paul, former TX-22 (1976–1977, 1979–1985) and TX-14 (1997–2013)[8]
- State legislators
- Matt Rinaldi, former state representative from the 115th district (2015–2019) and chair of the Texas Republican Party (2021–2024)[6]
- Individuals
- Rafael Cruz, pastor and father of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz[6]
- Jim McIngvale, businessman[6]
- Chad Prather, political commentator and comedian[6]
- Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur[6]
- Riley Gaines, swimmer and conservative activist[9]
- Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA (deceased)[9]
- Organizations
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Christi Craddick |
Kelly Hancock |
Don Huffines |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Southern University[14] | August 6–12, 2025 | 1,500 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 22% | 10% | 21% | 47% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kelly Hancock (incumbent) | |||
| Republican | Michael Berlanga | |||
| Republican | Christi Craddick | |||
| Republican | Don Huffines | |||
| Total votes | 100.00 | |||
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.[15][16] On the candidate filing deadline, Eckhardt announced that she was instead going to run for Comptroller.[17]
Candidates
Declared
- Sarah Eckhardt, state senator from the 14th district (2020–present)[18]
- Michael Lange, candidate for Texas Land Commissioner in 2022[19][20]
- Savant Moore, entrepreneur[5]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sarah Eckhardt | |||
| Democratic | Michael Lange | |||
| Democratic | Savant Moore | |||
| Total votes | 100.00 | |||
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Priest, Jessica (March 7, 2025). "Glenn Hegar named as Texas A&M System's next leader". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ a b "Candidate Information". Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "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.
- ^ "Don Huffines Declares Himself The "MAGA Candidate" in Texas Comptroller's Race, Opponents Respond". Dallas Express. September 4, 2025. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "Young Conservatives of Texas Endorses Don Huffines for Texas Comptroller". Young Conservatives of Texas. December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ^ Waltens, Brandon (March 28, 2025). "Ted Cruz Endorses Don Huffines for Texas Comptroller". Texas Scorecard. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- ^ 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.
External links
Official campaign websites