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Three Democrats are running to be Texas' next chief financial officer in the upcoming March 3 primary election.
The overview
Sarah Eckhardt, Michael Lange and Savant Moore are seeking the Democratic nomination for Texas comptroller. The winning Democratic candidate will face the Republican nominee in November; the winner of that election will be sworn in for a four-year term in January 2027.
Information about the Republican candidates for Texas comptroller is available here.
How we got here
The comptroller's office is open after former state comptroller Glenn Hegar stepped down in July to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Former state Sen. Kelly Hancock currently serves as acting state comptroller and is running in the Republican primary, although he is not considered the incumbent in the race.
The comptroller is tasked with overseeing government spending, projecting Texas' biennial budget for state legislators, reporting on statewide economic issues, and managing the state treasury and unclaimed property programs. Hancock's office also recently launched the state’s new education savings account program, as mandated by the Texas Legislature.
Preparing for the polls
Early voting begins Feb. 17 for March 3 primary races across Texas, including 18 statewide races and various local races. Registered voters may cast ballots in either Texas’ Republican or Democratic primary, but not both. Third-party candidates will appear on the ballot in November.
For more coverage of state and local races, visit communityimpact.com/election.
Zooming in
Community Impact gave all candidates running for contested statewide offices more than three weeks to complete the primary election questionnaire and communicated with their campaigns periodically. Community Impact's goal with election Q&As is to provide a side-by-side, equitable resource for Texas voters to review candidates' perspectives as they prepare to head to the polls.
To ensure that candidates are the ones defining their positions in Community Impact's voter guide, if candidates did not complete the questionnaire after multiple attempts to contact them, the website reads "candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time." Candidates were informed of this policy.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been minimally edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
State senator; former Travis County Judge; former Assistant County Attorney; attorney
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Affordability, transparency and trust. Texas is a rich state but prosperity is not evenly distributed. As keeper of the books, the Comptroller should honestly report whether, how and which Texans are benefitting from state investments. And the Comptroller can influence better investment, creating prosperity we can all build on.
How will you work with local governments to promote continued economic growth?
I will fully inform local leaders of state resources available to them so that local and state programs partner to deliver more efficient services, ensuring local and state tax dollars are used to maximal effectiveness, and not dumping on local property taxes to pick up slack for the state’s obligations.
With Texas’ education savings account program launching in 2026, what will be your objectives in administering the program?
I will ensure fairness by closely monitoring the administration of the program, including the Odyssey contract, ensuring honest reporting of who is benefitting most, least or not at all from the program, including close scrutiny of how much public funds are being transferred into private hands through the program.
What is needed to balance growth and housing affordability in Texas?
The state could support or at least get out of the way of the good work being done in public/private partnerships for affordable housing at the local level. And the state could put up some of its own prime real estate for deeply affordable housing development.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next five years?
Ensuring that we have the water, energy and education needed to meet the needs of Texans today and in the future. Use the ESF to accelerate water projects, encourage the cleanest and most reliable energy and protect the ratepayer, and fully fund universal public education.
Finance professional bringing 40 years of experience across multibillion-dollar and small businesses.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My top priorities are transparency, accuracy, and preparing Texas for the future. The Comptroller controls billions of dollars of taxpayer money and determines how much the state can spend, so getting the numbers right is critical. I will deliver honest revenue forecasts, strengthen oversight and auditing, and ensure Texans can ...
How will you work with local governments to promote continued economic growth?
Local governments are on the front lines of growth, both in rural communities and major cities. As Comptroller, I will work closely with local leaders by providing accurate financial data, clear guidance, and regular communication so they can plan responsibly. I will travel across the state to meet directly with ...
With Texas’ education savings account program launching in 2026, what will be your objectives in administering the program?
My primary objective is full transparency, fairness, and accountability. This is taxpayer money, and Texans deserve to know exactly how it is being spent and who is benefiting. I will ensure the program is administered in a fair and equitable manner, without bias, so no single group receives disproportionate benefits ...
Army veteran; HISD trustee; small business owner; educator
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Ensure transparent budgeting, responsible revenue forecasting, and fair distribution of state funds. Prioritize financial literacy, efficient tax administration, and accountability so public dollars reach classrooms, infrastructure, and communities while keeping Texas fiscally strong.
How will you work with local governments to promote continued economic growth?
Partner with cities and counties through data sharing, predictable funding, and timely reimbursements. Support local economic development by improving access to capital, modernizing procurement, and ensuring state investments align with regional workforce needs.
With Texas’ education savings account program launching in 2026, what will be your objectives in administering the program?
Administer the program with transparency, fiscal oversight, and clear reporting. Ensure funds are tracked, fraud is prevented, and taxpayers understand costs and outcomes while minimizing administrative burden on families and schools.
What is needed to balance growth and housing affordability in Texas?
What is needed to balance growth and housing affordability in Texas?
Texas is growing rapidly, with 10,000 new residents arriving each week. Balancing growth and housing affordability requires honest economic data, responsible budgeting, and long-term planning. The Comptroller’s office plays a key role by providing accurate revenue estimates and economic analysis that guide infrastructure, workforce, and housing decisions. ...
What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next five years?
The greatest challenge is managing rapid growth while maintaining financial stability and quality of life. Texas must plan responsibly for population increases, workforce needs, water and energy demands, and education funding all at the same time. The Comptroller plays a central role in meeting this challenge because the office determines ...
Increase housing supply through infrastructure investment, faster permitting, and diverse housing types. Align transportation, workforce development, and state funding so communities can grow without pricing out working Texans.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next five years?
Managing rapid population growth while maintaining infrastructure, education quality, and affordability. Texas must modernize systems, invest responsibly, and plan long term to remain competitive while protecting working families.