Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (appointed; took office Aug. 1, 2026)

Don Huffines is a Republican businessman who co-founded Huffines Communities, a Dallas-Fort Worth real estate development company, and served in the Texas Senate for District 16 from 2015 to 2019¹. He won the March 2026 Republican primary for comptroller, defeating acting comptroller Kelly Hancock³. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed him comptroller on July 2, 2026, and he took office Aug. 1, so he is serving in the office he is running for¹².

Where they stand

• Property taxes: Eliminate school property taxes and replace them with sales tax or state money Said · high confidence
  • Wrote that Texas should phase out the school property tax by buying down rates every session and pass a constitutional provision making the state pay all school taxes. (2023-06-06) source
  • As comptroller, called rising property taxes "the single biggest threat" to Texas economic success and urged local governments to cut rates. (2026-08-27) source
  • Said the Legislature should dedicate surplus sales tax collections to reducing property taxes. (2026-09) source
  • Listed returning savings to taxpayers through property tax relief as a top priority. (2026-09-10) source
• School choice: Yes, universal school choice for every family Questionnaire answer · high confidence
  • Said his goal for the Texas Education Freedom Account program is to make it available to every family and student who wishes to participate. (2026-09-10) source
• Business regulation: Position does not fit our answer choices; see evidence. Official action · medium confidence
  • As a state senator, authored SB 1588 to eliminate regular mandatory vehicle safety inspections; it passed the Senate 27 to 4. (2017-05-04) source
  • Said in a candidate survey that he is passionate about shrinking the size of government. (2026) source

No public position found on: AI data centers, Energy and climate.

Record

• Texas Senate, District 16, 2015 to 2019¹.
• Lost his 2018 reelection bid to Democrat Nathan Johnson⁸.
• Ran for governor in the 2022 Republican primary against Greg Abbott and placed third with 12%⁹.
• Won the March 3, 2026 Republican primary for comptroller over Kelly Hancock, Christi Craddick and Michael Berlanga³.
• Appointed Texas comptroller by Gov. Greg Abbott on July 2, 2026, effective Aug. 1, 2026, after acting comptroller Kelly Hancock resigned¹⁷.
• Says he uncovered a corruption scandal at a public agency as a state senator that led to six people going to prison³.