Star-Telegram endorsement: Three Democrats vie to run for Texas comptroller
Texas comptroller is a contradictory position: It comes with considerable power over the state’s finances but little control over policy that people notice. So, it needs an effective manager, comfortable with the bully pulpit and yet able to persuade legislators.
For Democrats, the best choice among three good candidates is state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt.
The former Travis County judge demonstrated a good understanding of the potential and limits of the job in an interview with our Editorial Board. For instance, Eckhardt noted, the comptroller will be responsible for administering the state’s new school voucher program. Like nearly all Democrats, she opposed its creation. She indicated that she would give it vigorous oversight and scrutinize contracts without trying to reverse the Legislature’s clear intent.
Eckhardt, a 61-year-old land-use attorney who lives in Austin, also said she would advocate for one-time expenditures from the state’s rainy day fund, which is nearly at the limit set by law, thanks to years of strong surpluses. She would push to use the excess to increase school funding — again, with the Legislature’s cooperation.
Were she to pull off a political upset, Eckhardt would be a prominent check on Republican leadership. She would project seriousness and toughness in the job.
Fellow candidate Savant Moore is an elected member of the board of the Houston school district, which is suspended while the district is under state oversight. He pledged to conduct rigorous audits of state programs and ensure that minority- and women-owned businesses receive a share of state contracts, a priority shut down recently by acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. Moore, 40, is a sixth-grade teacher and a preacher.
The third candidate, Michael Lange of Houston, touts his decades of experience in accounting and financing, arguing that it’s an edge over Eckhardt and Moore. Lange, 62, ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for land commissioner four years ago.
Early voting runs Feb. 17-27, with Election Day on March 3. If no candidate receives more than half of the votes cast, the top two proceed to a May 26 runoff. The winner will face one of four Republicans running. The comptroller serves a four-year term.
About our campaign endorsements
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHey, who is behind these endorsements?
Members of the Editorial Board, which serves as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s institutional voice, decide candidates and positions to recommend to voters. The members of the board are: Cynthia M. Allen, columnist; Steve Coffman, editor and president; Bud Kennedy, columnist; and Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
How does the process work?
The Editorial Board interviews candidates, asking about positions on issues, experience and qualifications, and how they would approach holding the office for which they are running. Board members do additional research on candidates’ backgrounds and the issues at hand. After that, members discuss the candidates and generally aim to arrive at a consensus, though not necessarily unanimity. All members contribute observations and ideas, so the resulting editorials represent the board’s view, not a particular writer.
How do partisanship and ideology factor in?
We’re not tied to one party or the other, and our positions on issues range across the ideological spectrum. We tend to prefer candidates who align with our previously stated positions, but qualifications, temperament and experience are important, too.
This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 11:43 AM.