Here are the Republican primary candidates for Texas comptroller
Four Republicans are running in the primary for Texas comptroller of public accounts. The winner in the March 3 primary will be on the November ballot with one of these Democratic candidates.
Here are the Republican candidates’ responses to a Star-Telegram questionnaire. They are listed in the order you’ll see them on the ballot.
Kelly Hancock
Age (as of March 3): 62
Campaign website: kellyhancock.com
Best way for voters to reach you: kellyhancock.com
Occupation: Small business owner and Acting Comptroller
Education: Baylor University, BBA
Have you run for elected office before? Birdville ISD Board Member, 1993–2006; Texas House of Representatives, HD-91, 2007–2013; Texas Senate, SD-9, 2013–2025
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Texas: Kelly Hancock is a lifelong Texan, small business owner, and proven conservative leader who stands firm on the principles of faith, family, and free enterprise. Now running for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts after serving in the Legislature for almost two decades, Kelly is ready to put his experience and steadfast values to work protecting taxpayers and keeping Texas state government strong, prosperous, and accountable.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? No
Who are your top three campaign contributors? My campaign is powered by thousands of grassroots donors across the state; all campaign finance reports are publicly available on the Texas Ethics Commission website.
Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking this office to continue serving as Texas Comptroller and build on the results already delivered.
As Acting Comptroller, I’ve focused on protecting taxpayers, enforcing the law, and modernizing state government. In just the past several months, we’ve supported border security, partnered with Texas sheriffs to work with ICE, ended DEI in state contracting, launched the largest day-one education freedom program in the nation, blocked taxpayer funds from flowing to designated terrorist and foreign adversary organizations, implemented Texas DOGE reforms, increased transparency, modernized financial systems, and audited waste, fraud, and abuse.
This campaign is about results, not rhetoric. Texans deserve a Comptroller who is already doing the job, understands the responsibility of the office, and has proven they can deliver. I’m running to ensure that strong, conservative leadership with real accountability for taxpayer dollars continues for a full term.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Secure the Border and Defend Rule of Law
I will continue working with President Trump and Governor Abbott to secure the border, empower sheriffs to work with ICE, use Criminal Investigation Division officers to partner with DPS and border patrol to interrupt cartel-backed fuel tax theft operations, and recover federal reimbursement for Texas’ border security costs.
Cut Waste and Eliminate DEI
We’ve ended DEI in state contracting, but more work remains. I will expand transparency tools, strengthen audit authority to expose waste, fraud, and abuse, and rein in runaway local spending and debt. Through Texas DOGE, I will continue cutting red tape and modernizing government.
Empower Parents with Education Freedom
I will implement Texas Education Freedom Accounts through a secure and transparent system while ensuring taxpayer dollars never support schools with ties to designated terrorist organizations or foreign adversaries. Education decisions belong with parents, not bureaucrats.
How will you measure your success as Texas comptroller?
I measure success by results, not rhetoric. As Acting Comptroller, I’ve focused on operating at the speed of business, delivering results Texans can see: securing the border, empowering sheriffs to work more closely with ICE, eliminating DEI from state contracting, launching Texas DOGE, implementing Texas Education Freedom Accounts, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are never funneled to schools tied to terrorist organizations or foreign adversaries. I will continue measuring success with results that protect taxpayers, improve accountability, and strengthen Texas over time.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I’m the only candidate with a proven record in the job. As Acting Comptroller, I’ve already delivered real results: keeping the border secure, ending DEI in state contracting, supporting ICE coordination, launching the largest day-one education freedom program in the nation, blocking taxpayer funds from terrorist-linked organizations, implementing Texas DOGE, modernizing financial systems, increasing transparency, and auditing waste, fraud, and abuse. This campaign is about results, not rhetoric, and Texans can judge my leadership based on what I’ve already accomplished.
What are Texans looking for and wanting most in their Texas comptroller?
Texans are looking for a Texas Comptroller who delivers results, not rhetoric, and who understands both the private sector and state government. I’m the only candidate who built a small business from the ground up, so I understand what businesses need to grow and when government gets in the way.
Texans also want a Comptroller with proven experience safeguarding taxpayer dollars. As Acting Comptroller, I’m already doing the job: operating at the speed of business, enforcing the law, increasing transparency, and defending Texas values. And I bring unmatched knowledge of the state budget, having helped write it for ten years in the Texas Senate and led the Business & Commerce Committee, where we cut red tape and strengthened the Texas economy.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Texas economy, and how would you address it if elected?
Texas’ greatest strength is its strong, pro-business economy: low taxes, limited regulation, and a workforce that attracts investment and job growth.
One of the biggest risks today is runaway local spending and debt, which drives rising property taxes. During my time in the Legislature, I voted for every major property tax relief measure—more than $90 billion—yet many local governments continue to increase spending and debt. To strengthen the economy, Texas must rein in local spending, increase transparency, expand audits of cities, counties, and universities, and consider local spending caps so taxpayers aren’t saddled with unsustainable obligations.
Texas must also manage rapid growth without losing fiscal discipline or core Texas values. That means continuing the work I’ve started as Comptroller—investigating fraud, eliminating DEI from state contracting, keeping the border secure by working with ICE to arrest criminals, and implementing regulatory reform through Texas DOGE.
Please outline your business and finance experience. How will that experience inform your tenure as comptroller if elected?
I started a business from nothing more than a few thousand dollars and a truck, so I understand better than anyone what it takes to start and operate a business in Texas. That experience shaped my approach—focused on growth, efficiency, and keeping government out of the way.
In the Texas Senate, I helped write the state budget for ten years, served on the Legislative Budget Board, and led the Business & Commerce Committee, where we cut red tape and strengthened Texas’ pro-growth economy. No other candidate has this depth of experience. As Acting Comptroller, I’ve applied it to safeguard taxpayer dollars, modernize financial systems, increase transparency, and operate government at the speed of business.
Should Texas be investing in cryptocurrency? Why or why not?
Texas should embrace diversification and multiple stores of value, while remaining fiscally disciplined. The Legislature directed the creation of the nation’s first Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, and my role as Acting Comptroller is to implement it responsibly.
My office made an initial $5 million Bitcoin purchase and we are currently contracting with a qualified crypto bank and represents only a small portion of the $338 billion state budget. This is about long-term balance sheet resilience – not speculation – while complementing Texas’ commitment to sound money through assets like gold and silver housed in the Texas Bullion Depository and continuing building the Rainy Day Fund.
The Texas Comptroller’s Office recently froze the Historically Underutilized Business program. Do you support that move, and what is your vision for the HUB program?
I fully support that decision because I made it. The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program had evolved into a DEI-driven system that prioritized race and gender over performance and best value. That approach is inconsistent with Texas law and unfair to taxpayers. I suspended new HUB certifications and ensured state contracts are awarded on best value, not sex or gender quotas.
We refocused the program to support service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, honoring those who served our country while eliminating DEI mandates that drive up costs and reduce transparency. This is part of a broader effort to cut waste, operate at the speed of business, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly.
Texas Lawmakers tapped the Texas Comptroller’s Office to take the lead on much of Texas’ new voucher program. What is your vision for education savings accounts in Texas?
Implementing the largest day-one education freedom launch in the country was a top priority when I became Acting Comptroller. I voted for this legislation, and I’m the only candidate in this race who has successfully passed major education freedom legislation into law.
My vision for Texas Education Savings Accounts is to empower parents while protecting taxpayers. Texans deserve absolute assurance that no taxpayer dollars are used—directly or indirectly—to support institutions tied to terrorist organizations, criminal networks, or foreign adversaries. As administrator, my office is enforcing zero tolerance for waste, fraud, or abuse while keeping the program on track for the 2026–27 school year.
We are also ensuring the system is secure, transparent, and accessible, so families can apply and participate with confidence and education freedom can responsibly expand in the future.
Michael Berlanga
Age (as of March 3): 66
Campaign website: www.mikeberlangafortexascomptroller.com
Best way for voters to reach you: EMAIL TO MIKE@ASKTVT.COM
Occupation: CPA/SENIOR PROPERTY TAX CONSULTANT/REAL ESTATE BROKER
Education: BBA ACCOUNTING/MPA CONCENTRATION IN TAX
Have you run for elected office before? STATE REP. 2018 DIST 117 (GOVERNOR ENDORSED) BEXAR COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR 2016/SENATE DISTRICT 19 2012
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Texas. PROVIDED ON BEHALF OF CHRISTIAN CHAMBER/CITY OF SAN ANTONIO/TEXAS PUBLIC FOUNDATION/NUMEROUS LEGISLATORS PROPERTY TAX PROTEST SEMINARS FOR THE BENEFIT OF TEXAS TAXPAYERS
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? NO
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? NO.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? i AM SELF FUNDING UNTIL THE RUNOFF
Why are you seeking this office? TO LOWER PROPERTY VALUES FOR ALL TEXANS AS THE AUTHORITY OF THE OFFICE EXTENDS TO THE PROPERTY VALUE STUDIES. TO EXPAND THE TAXPAYERS AWARENESS OF THE RIGHTS OF ALL TAXPAYERS TO PROTEST AND OBTAIN THE CAD EVIDENCE PRIOR TO HEARINGS AND THE RIGHT TO APPEAL BY ARBITRATION IN LIEU OF LITIGATION. TO BE THE VOICE OF TEXANS V. TAXES TO THE LEGISLATURE
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be? TO ELIMINATE WASTE, FRAUD
How will you measure your success as Texas comptroller? WHEN THE ELIMINATION OF SCHOOL TAX TRULY MAKES FOR UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE A REALITY AND THE IGNORANCE OF THE FAILURE OF THE LEGISLATURE IN MEETING ITS DUTY TO FUND EDUCATION EFFICIENTLY IS REVEALED. THE EXCESS INDEPENDENT NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS DEFINED BY NEITHER GEOGRAPHICAL NOR STUDENT POPULATION METRICS IS THE LEADING CAUSE TO THE WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE. THE PRIORITY OF EDUCATION FOR ME IS PERSONAL AS MY ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDED THE COMPLETION OF HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE IN ONLY 3 YEARS EACH WHILE ACHIEVING ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGHOUT.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents? THE COMMON SENSE CHOICE OF CHOOSING THE ONLY CANDITATE WITH CREDENTIALS SUCH AS A CPA/TAX CONSULTANT AND THE ONLY NON FORMER LEGISLATOR OR DAUGHTER OF A STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEMS OF LOCAL TAXPAYERS STATEWIDE. THIS IS NOT A STEPPING STONE AS IT IS FOR EVERY OTHER CANDIDATE POSTURING TO BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR OR GO ALONG WITH A GOVERNOR WHO HAS YET TO EVEN HAVE ONE BILL SPONSORED TO ACHIEVE HIS GOAL OF ELIMINATING SCHOOL PROPERTY TAXES FOR ALL TEXANS NOT LIMITED TO HOMEOWNERS.
What are Texans looking for and wanting most in their Texas comptroller? A VOICE FOR TAX REFORM AND FUNDING EDUCATION EFFICIENTLY AS IS THE DUTY OF THE LEGISLATURE PER ARTICLE 7 OF THE CONSTITUTION. INDEPENDENT THOUGHT NOT BEHOLDING TO THE REPUBLICAN ESTABLISHMENT OR SELF SERVING EGOTISTICAL POLITICAL AMBITION OF THOSE STILL SEEKING POLITICAL RELEVANCE IN THEIR CAPACITIES AS FORMER STATE SENATORS OR RAILROAD COMMISSIONER
What is the biggest challenge facing the Texas economy, and how would you address it if elected? INFRASTRUCTURE AND MORE RELIABLE WATER IN CENTRAL TEXAS. THE ELECTRIC GRID NEEDS TO BE OVERHAULED AND MODERNIZED. BRING METRICS FOR INVESTING TEXAS RESOURCES AND INCENTIVIZING PRIVATE INVESTMENT INTO MAKING TEXAS THE PLACE TO BE FOR CORPORATE RELOCATION
Please outline your business and finance experience. How will that experience inform your tenure as comptroller if elected? AS A CPA, REAL ESTATE BROKER AND PROPERTY TAX CONSULTANT i AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO IS STUDIED IN AUDITING, THE ATTEST FUNCTION OF THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION, AND AWARE OF THE DECADE HIGH UNPAID TAXES AS OF FEB. 1ST. THE EXPERTISE I HAVE IN THE AREA OF FEDERAL INCOME TAXES AS A PLANNER AND PROBLEM SOLVER ALSO GIVES ME UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO THE CHALLENGES OF THE OWNER MANAGED BUSINESS COMMUNITY LIKE NO ONE BEFORE ME
Should Texas be investing in cryptocurrency? Why or why not? WHILE THE INVESTMENT IS IN KEEPING WITH THE EVOLUTION OF THE DIGITAL ERA, THE BURDEN IT PLACES WITH HIGH VOLATILITY AND RISK SHOULD BE MONITORED CLOSELY. REGULATORY OVERSIGHT IS ESPECIALLY ESSENTIAL GIVEN THE DEMANDS IT PLACES ON MINING AND THE POWER ESSENTIAL TO CREATING SUCH A RESOURCE. IN CONCLUSION, TEXAS SHOULD INVEST WITH A GREAT DEAL OF CAUTION AND DELIBERATION AS THE IGNORANCE OF THE LEGISLATURE IN AREAS OF DYNAMIC CURRENCY CHANGES IS NEW TERRITORY FOR THOSE NOT STUDIED IN FINANCE OR ECONOMICS WHILE PROVIDING NO METRICS FOR MEASURING SUCCESS.
The Texas Comptroller’s Office recently froze the Historically Underutilized Business program. Do you support that move, and what is your vision for the HUB program? I DO NOT SUPPORT THAT MOVE AS THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE IN BRINGING ALL CAPABLE CONTRACTORS PREVIOUSLY RELIANT ON THOSE DOORS NOT BEING CLOSED OR INSPIRING THOSE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE PRESUME NOT ACCESSIBLE IS PREMATURE THOUGH POLITICALLY POPULAR TO SAY OTHERWISE.
Texas Lawmakers tapped the Texas Comptroller’s Office to take the lead on much of Texas’ new voucher program. What is your vision for education savings accounts in Texas? THE NEAR UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM SHOULD REACH MORE THAN 1% OF THE STUDENT POPULATION IN TEXAS TO EVEN BEGIN TO REFERENCE THE VOUCHER PROGRAM AS UNIVERSAL. THE FAILURE AFTER 10 SESSIONS AND THREE YEARS TO GET ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THE GOVERNOR’S GOAL TO ELIMINATE SCHOOL TAX IS DISAPPOINTING IF THE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. THE AWARDING OF THE CONTRACT TO A NEW YORK CONTRACTOR (ODYSSEY) IS DISAPPOINTING WHEN GIVEN THE POSSIBILITY THAT A TEXAS CONTRACTOR COULD BE SELECTED. FURTHERMORE THE SUSPICION OF PAYING TO PLAY BY THE RELATED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR’S CAMPAIGN IS ALSO CONCERNING. ESAs ARE NOW BEING USED TO BE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED TO CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM AND ISLAMAPHOBIA FOR POLITICAL THEATER. GOD GAVE US ALL A FREE WILL AND THE STATE SHOULD RESPECT THE FREEDOM OF RELIGION WHILE PROTECTING ALL FROM THE TOLERANCE OF VIOLENCE IN LIEU OF COMPASSION OVER CONFLICT.
Christi Craddick
Did not respond.
Don Huffines
Age (as of March 3): 67
Campaign website: donhuffines.com
Best way for voters to reach you: don@donhuffines.com
Occupation: Businessman - Commercial Real Estate, Venture Capital, and Investments
Education: Graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.B.A in finance
Have you run for elected office before? Former State Senator representing Dallas County
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Texas.
As a Texas State Senator, I exposed a multi-million-dollar corruption scandal that put 6 people in jail, shut down a corrupt agency overnight, and saved taxpayers millions of dollars. I have been a consistent advocate for fiscal responsibility, government transparency, property tax relief, border security, and conservative reforms that put taxpayers first. I was always ranked one of the top 2 most conservative state senators.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? No
Who are your top three campaign contributors? I have two major donors, myself and my brother, Phil. I’m proud to be primarily self-funded, which means I’m not beholden to special interests. My campaign is driven by the people. To that point, we have the highest number of small dollar donors by a very large margin!
Why are you seeking this office?
I’m honored to have the support of national leaders like U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, Charlie Kirk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Riley Gaines, along with conservative leaders in Congress and, critically, a supermajority of the Texas GOP State Republican Executive Committee and nearly every major conservative organization in the state. That kind of unity matters because no one wins statewide without both the grassroots and the business community, and I have both. As Comptroller, I will make the office an active guardian of taxpayer dollars, focused not just on revenue collection, but on spending discipline and transparency.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
First, I will DOGE Texas government. Texas spends over $500 million dollars a day, seven days a week. I will conduct aggressive forensic audits, expose fraud, waste, and abuse, and turn savings and budget surpluses into real property tax relief.
Second, I will end taxpayer funding for illegal aliens. I will use the Comptroller’s authority to expose the true cost of illegal immigration, including the billions spent in our schools, and fight to eliminate every taxpayer-funded benefit for illegal aliens.
Third, I will eliminate woke ideology in government. I will identify and eliminate DEI programs and shut down taxpayer-funded political agendas that have no place in Texas government.
And I will go further. I will demand a transparent, conservative budget, modernize state contracting and purchasing so taxpayers get value, and hold agencies like TxDOT accountable so our infrastructure keeps up and Texans are not stuck wasting hours in traffic.
How will you measure your success as Texas comptroller?
Success is measured in results. How much waste is eliminated, how much fraud is exposed, and how many taxpayer dollars are returned to Texans through property tax relief. I will measure success by transparency and whether Texans can clearly see where their money is going.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
Voters should choose me because I’m the only candidate in this race who has actually built businesses, signed paychecks, and managed risk, and I’m bringing that mindset to the Comptroller’s office. I’m a businessman committed to bringing President Trump’s sense of urgency and results-driven leadership to Texas government. Charlie Kirk put it plainly when he said, “Don Huffines is the only candidate in this race with the courage and the track record to bring President Trump’s brand of leadership to Texas.” My approach is simple: the money belongs to the taxpayers, not the government.
What are Texans looking for and wanting most in their Texas comptroller?
My motto in business has always been seeing beyond the obvious, and I plan to bring that private-sector mindset to the Comptroller’s Office and do things there that have never been done before.
Rather than focusing solely on revenue collection, I will focus on how taxpayer dollars are being spent, because government never has enough of your money. Texas does not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.
As a state senator, I single-handedly exposed a multi-million dollar corruption scandal that sent six people to prison and saved taxpayers millions of dollars, shutting down the agency overnight. I was DOGE-ing before it was a word. As your Texas Comptroller, I will expose government corruption and fight to put people in jail for stealing taxpayer dollars.
Every dollar we save is a dollar that can go toward property tax relief and keeping Texas the best place in the world to build, hire, and invest.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Texas economy, and how would you address it if elected?
Our biggest vulnerability is infrastructure: the electric grid and power generation, highways/ports/airports, and water. Texas is growing faster than our systems can handle, it is imperative we get ahead of the demand curve, otherwise growth slows and costs rise. We’re also vulnerable through rising property taxes, which drive up housing costs, rent, and the cost of doing business.
Texas is strong because of our climate, location, and - most importantly - our people and culture. We’re a Republican, pro-growth state.
To strengthen the economy, run Texas like a business: audit government spending, hold agencies accountable, and stop wasting taxpayer dollars. Then modernize infrastructure by ensuring major contracts, especially TxDOT’s, deliver projects on time, on budget, and ahead of demand. Finally, cut property taxes, streamline regulation, and keep Texas affordable so families can stay and businesses keep choosing Texas.
Please outline your business and finance experience. How will that experience inform your tenure as comptroller if elected?
I’m a fifth-generation Texan and a successful businessman guided by a simple principle: see beyond the obvious and solve the real problem, not the symptom. I co-founded Huffines Communities, now one of the largest real estate development firms in North Texas, and for decades I’ve built communities, created jobs, and helped tens of thousands of Texans achieve the American Dream of homeownership. I’ve also seen firsthand that government is often the number-one barrier to job growth when regulation, taxes, and waste drive up costs.
As Comptroller, I’ll bring that private-sector mindset to government: the money belongs to the taxpayers, not the government. I’ll focus on spending discipline, shifting the office away from constantly auditing businesses and toward aggressively auditing government spending, cutting waste, streamlining regulation, and keeping Texas affordable and open for business.
Should Texas be investing in cryptocurrency? Why or why not?
I have championed crypto for years and will follow President Trump’s lead on financial innovation. As Comptroller, I will prudently manage the state’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and make Texas the national leader in financial sovereignty.
The Texas Comptroller’s Office recently froze the Historically Underutilized Business program. Do you support that move, and what is your vision for the HUB program?
I will fight to eliminate woke DEI programs in government and ensure state contracting is based on merit. I have done it before by exposing and shutting down a state-run, taxpayer-funded transgender youth website, and I will do it again as Comptroller. Texas government should focus on results, not woke ideological agendas.
Texas Lawmakers tapped the Texas Comptroller’s Office to take the lead on much of Texas’ new voucher program. What is your vision for education savings accounts in Texas?
Texas can’t stay trapped in the failing paradigm of government-run education. I want our schools to be the best they can possibly be. The next 30 years shouldn’t be defined by the last 30. I support education freedom because competition lowers costs and raises quality, and a rigorous education leads to a strong economy.
As Comptroller, I will oversee every aspect of the Education Savings Account program and work closely with the Legislature and TEA to ensure it’s effective, parent-driven, and built for the future, so parents can choose the best school for their child, with no strings attached. And I will make sure not one taxpayer dollar goes to fund illegal aliens, terrorists, or Chinese Communists.
This story was originally published February 14, 2026 at 3:00 AM.