- Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick and former State Senator Don Huffines have announced campaigns for Comptroller
- Craddick is emphasizing her experience and commitment to free markets and good governance
- Huffines has committed $10 million to his campaign, promising to “DOGE Texas”
The 2026 election season began in earnest last week with the announcement that State Comptroller Glenn Hegar will soon vacate the post he has held for the last decade.
On Friday, the Texas A&M Board of Regents announced that Hegar was the sole finalist to take over as Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Current Chancellor John Sharp had previously announced his retirement from that position effective June 30.
Hegar, who served as a State Representative and State Senator prior to his election as Comptroller, is a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1993.
Within minutes of the announcement that Hegar will be heading to Aggieland, Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick and former State Senator Don Huffines both announced their candidacies for Comptroller.
“Serving for more than a decade as Railroad Commissioner has uniquely prepared me to help Texas build upon its momentum as the economic engine of the United States,” said Craddick in her campaign announcement.
“Throughout my tenure at the Commission, we have managed our work with efficiency, transparency, and common sense, reflecting the bedrock principles the Texas economy has been built upon, and our commitment to the principles of a free market have helped our economy thrive. At the heart of all good government, good business and fiscal responsibility is one simple fact: Don’t spend money you don’t have.”
Craddick, the daughter of State Representative and former Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, was first elected to the Texas Railroad Commission in 2012. She was re-elected to the Railroad Commission in November, defeating her Democrat opponent by 16.6 points.
Dallas businessman Don Huffines, who served as a State Senator from 2015-2019, was also quick to jump in the race. Huffines ran for Governor in the 2022 Republican Primary against Greg Abbott, coming in third place with 12%. Huffines says he has committed $10 million of his own money to his latest campaign.
“I’m committing $10 million to this race on Day 1 because Texas taxpayers deserve a Comptroller who fights for them—and I’m in it to win. As comptroller, I will DOGE Texas by exposing waste, fraud, and abuse in government to increase efficiency and put
every penny we save into property tax relief,” said Huffines.
Brad Johnson of The Texan has also reported that State Senator Tan Parker is mulling a potential candidacy.
Huffines drew attention last year when he withdrew his attendance and sponsorship of an event celebrating the 15thbirthday of the True Texas Project that featured speakers who espoused anti-Israel viewpoints and had ties to antisemitism. After withdrawing his support of the event, Huffines told the Texas Tribune, “This group booked me several months ago to speak at their birthday party about my usual topics (property taxes, border security, and education reform). I will no longer have anything to do with this event. This is a dumb and inaccurate way to promote the Republican agenda. My mission is to keep Texas red and advance liberty and prosperity for all Texans. I was never given a lineup of speakers or topics, and will certainly do a better job of vetting speaking engagements.”
True Texas Project CEO Julie McCarty slammed Huffines for withdrawing from the event, calling him a “sellout against the grassroots” and accusing him of “betrayal and weakness.”
Meanwhile, Parker sent in a video greeting that was played at the event. In the video, Parker wished the True Texas Project a “very, very happy birthday celebration,” and called them “tremendous patriots doing such tremendous work.”
The Texas Voice has previously reported on numerous instances of leaders of the True Texas Project making racist and antisemitic remarks. Examples of such comments include True Texas Project CEO Julie McCarty having once said that the “toughest battles” are “against corporations run by Jews,” True Texas Project PAC Treasurer Fred McCarty claiming that Donald Trump “didn’t deliver s***” for “white voters”, and True Texas Project Board Member Ryan McCubbin criticizing Governor Greg Abbott for promoting “policy driven by shekels.”
Governor Abbott will make an appointment to fill the remainder of Hegar’s term as Comptroller when the office becomes vacant.
