Sarah Eckhardt defeated Republican Don Huffines to become the next Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, according to Associated Press projections.
Eckhardt won 51% to 46% over Huffines as of Wednesday afternoon.
The comptroller is the state’s chief financial officer, collects state taxes and serves as the state’s accountant. The Comptroller also controls the state’s $1 billion voucher program. Eckhardt’s campaign focused on restoring trust to the statewide office by protecting schools and auditing the voucher system, stopping no-bid contracts and increasing transparency of the office.
“The way you end corruption in the state of Texas is you get ahold of the money,” Eckhardt said during her victory speech.
Eckhardt, D-Austin, has represented UT and West Campus in the Texas Senate since 2020. Her state Senate term expires in 2029, which means her soon-to-be-vacant seat will be subject to special election when she resigns to take over the comptroller’s office. Depending on when Eckhardt resigns, either Gov. Greg Abbott or Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa will call the election.
Abbott appointed Huffines, a multimillionaire and former state senator, R-Dallas, after interim Comptroller Kelly Hancock resigned. Hancock resigned in July following his primary loss to Huffines.
Huffines ran a campaign focused on exposing government corruption, decreasing government spending and ensuring no tax dollars go to noncitizens.
Eckhardt will assume the office for a four-year term in January 2027.
