Republican comptroller nominee Don Huffines says his decisive victory in Tuesday’s primary shows Texas that voters are ready for stronger oversight of government spending.
Huffines secured more than 50 percent of the vote in the four-way Republican primary, defeating Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick, and accountant Michael Berlanga to avoid a runoff.
In an interview with Texas Scorecard, Huffines discussed the race, his “DOGE Texas” agenda, President Donald Trump’s endorsement, and his upcoming General Election contest against Democrat Sarah Eckhardt.
Texas Scorecard: You were in a four-person race, which normally would go to a runoff, but you avoided that. Why do you think you were able to secure more than 50 percent?
Don Huffines: Well, it was the message. Look, we ran a great campaign, very disciplined, very focused, and we were focused on the message, and it resonated. I’ve been a part of the grassroots and part of the Republican base all my life, so I knew what they wanted. We all want the same thing out of government. They wanted to DOGE government, and so do I, and they know I’ve got the receipts and the track record to make that happen.
You said that we avoided a runoff. I mean, we crushed them. It wasn’t even close. It really wasn’t. That’s really unprecedented. I haven’t seen that happen in a statewide race where someone who’s not currently an officeholder comes in and beats that level of competition.
Texas Scorecard: Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed one of your opponents. Have you spoken with him since the election?
Don Huffines: Yes, I have. He called me today, and we had a nice visit. We’re communicating about how we’re going to beat the Democrats in the fall and what’s important for next year in the legislative session and how we can work together. I’m looking forward to working with him.
Texas Scorecard: You’ve talked a lot about DOGE-ing Texas government. What is that going to look like once you’re in office?
Don Huffines: Well, I’ll tell you exactly what it’s going to look like. You’re going to know about it.
Let me remind your readers that the motto of my business is seeing beyond the obvious. It’s not always obvious, but we’re going to make government more efficient—whether that’s fewer employees doing the job. We’re going to make sure it’s not a “use it or lose it” mentality in government where you use the money or you lose it in the next budget cycle.
I’m going to make sure that any government that’s using Texas taxpayer money is going to be held accountable. That includes local governments also, not just state agencies or state government. And if they’re stealing it, I’m going to find out. I’m going to put them in jail.
Texas Scorecard: There’s a lot of talk right now about the effect of President Donald Trump’s endorsements. He endorsed you on Friday evening after early voting but before Election Day. Did President Trump’s endorsement play a role in the outcome in your view?
Don Huffines: Well sure. I’m so excited to get the president’s endorsement. It was huge. He is the Republican Party. This is his party, and I am the MAGA candidate. There’s no question about that.
I’m glad he recognized that, and I’m honored and humbled to have his endorsement. I’ve supported the president in 2016, 2020, and 2024 about every way you could. I was a delegate for him at the national conventions and of course voted for him to have the nomination. I’ve been to his inauguration, donated money, bundled money for him, and even my adult son has worked for him. So I’m all in when it comes to the president.
Texas Scorecard: You’re facing Democrat Sarah Eckhardt in November. How do you expect that race to differ from this primary race?
Don Huffines: Well it’s typical how Democrats operate. They never think [the] government has enough of our money.
There’s just a huge gap between what I see in government and what the Democrats want to do. Democrats always want more regulation and more money. But the money belongs to you, the people. This is our money, and I’m the taxpayer watchdog.
I’m going to find out where the money is going. I’ve got the track record and the receipts of rooting out fraud and putting people in jail that steal our money, and that’s what I’m going to do in Austin.
Texas Scorecard: Last question—if you’re elected in November, what will success look like four years from now?
Don Huffines: That’s a great question. Executing on my campaign promises and delivering on those. I’ve got them all on the website—how we’re going to DOGE Texas—and that’s really important to me, doing what I say I’m going to do. That’s why I got so many endorsements and why we won so handily, because people can trust me to do that.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
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