In the wake of State Comptroller Susan Combs' decision to not run for reelection next year, Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, announced May 30 he plans to run for the seat.
Hegar joined Texas politics in 2003 as a member of the House in 2003, and in 2007 was elected to the Senate. Hegar serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Nominations and as a member of the Committees on Finance, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Homeland Security. His finance experience includes lending a hand in crafting the state's budget and serving as chairman on a subcommittee responsible for reviewing state and local revenue matters. "I have enjoyed serving in the senate, but I feel I can better serve my constituents as comptroller, which is an extremely important office in Texas," he said. "It is not just the office that gives the legislature its revenue forecast, but it is also the tax collecting agency for people in the state of Texas. You are really more or less the chief financial officer for the state of Texas." A longtime Katy resident with roots in Hockley, Hegar said his initial goal if elected to the position is to ensure the office is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible. The state comptroller is charged with overseeing the state's finances. The office plays the role of tax collector, chief accountant, chief revenue estimator and chief treasurer, and provides the legislature its budget. The office also works with local governments, businesses and residents by providing a variety of services. "I would like to give the position a fresh set of eyes and calm stable voice of leadership," Hegar said.