State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, a Democrat from Austin, is running for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Asked why she is seeking the office, Eckhardt said in our candidate questionnaire: "Texans are paying more for gas, groceries, and housing than ever before—even as our state boasts one of the largest, strongest economies in the country. … It is time to ask hard questions so Texans get honest answers about where their tax dollars go."

She also said she would "audit the $1 billion private school voucher program under this office's oversight, stand up for our public schools, stop no-bid contracts to wealthy donors, investigate tax breaks for data centers, and open the state budget to the public …"

Don Huffines is the Republican candidate. Shehla Faizi is running as the Green Party candidate, and V. Alonzo Echevarria-Garza is the Libertarian candidate.

Candidate information

Party affiliation: "Lifelong Democrat, but I am running in this race to serve Texans regardless of party."

Occupation: "Attorney and public official."

Education: "Double Longhorn: LBJ School of Public Affairs and UT Law."

Family: "I am the youngest of seven, the parent of two, and owner of a couple of fur babies."

Family in politics: "Among my immediate family, I am the odd-one-out in my family as the only one who pursued public office like my dad, the late Congressman Bob Eckhardt. My two children have so far served in routine civilian roles in the federal government."

Experience and public service

Previous offices: "Currently the state senator for District 14, comprising Austin and surrounding areas; previously, the Travis County Judge, Travis County Commissioner for Precinct 2, and Assistant County Attorney for Travis County."

Eckhardt announced her candidacy for comptroller on Dec. 8, 2025, according to her Wikipedia page, and she was the first woman elected as Travis County judge, according to her campaign website.

On the issues

Revenue estimate accuracy: Asked how she would keep the comptroller's revenue estimate free of political pressure, Eckhardt said: "It involves analyzing macroeconomics, historical trends, and projecting based on the best available information about commodity pricing. … This process requires steadiness and maturity to ensure that the Legislature's ultimate budget is fiscally sound. This is not an opportunity to inject political grandstanding."

Education savings accounts: On administering the state's voucher program, she said: "Although I did not vote for this program in my capacity as a state senator, as Comptroller my responsibility is well laid out in the law. I will very carefully and aggressively manage the program to ensure that contractors are complying with their obligations to the state. …"

School property taxes: Asked whether she supports proposals to eliminate school district property taxes, Eckhardt said: "Texans should not pay more taxes than necessary to fund statutory state services." She added that funding property tax buydowns "relies on temporary budget surpluses. Assuming these boom conditions will last indefinitely is fiscally reckless."

Economic development incentives: On tax exemptions, she said: "As Comptroller I would analyze all of the tax exemptions and submit a report to the Legislature on their effectiveness going forward. It will then be up to the Legislature to set policy informed by fair and transparent data."

Past accomplishments: "As the chief executive over Travis County, the 5th largest in the state, I cut taxes 3 times in 5 years, balanced the budget 3 times, built infrastructure on time and on budget, and oversaw a massive increase in good-paying jobs."

Eckhardt has received endorsements from the AFL-CIO, the Texas State Teachers Association, Annie's List and TEXPAC, according to BallotReady.