When Denison voters head to the polls this fall, they will decide who will manage Texas’ finances as the state comptroller of public accounts. Four candidates are on the Grayson County ballot: Republican Don Huffines, Democrat Sarah Eckhardt, Libertarian V. Alonzo Echavarria‑Garza and Green Party candidate Shehla Faizi.
What the comptroller does
The comptroller serves as Texas’ chief financial officer, collecting sales taxes, overseeing hundreds of state contracts, and issuing the revenue estimate that guides the Legislature’s biennial budget. The office also administers the new $1 billion school voucher program that helps families pay for private‑school tuition and other education costs.
Background and endorsements
Don Huffines (R) co‑founded a Dallas‑area real‑estate development firm, served in the Texas Senate from 2015‑2019, and challenged Gov. Greg Abbott in the 2022 GOP primary for governor. Appointed by Abbott to serve as acting comptroller after Kelly Hancock’s primary loss, Huffines has pledged to forgo a state salary. His platform calls for auditing government spending, returning savings through property‑tax relief, studying the costs of illegal immigration, cutting regulations that hinder job creation, and running the voucher program transparently. He reported $1 million cash on hand at the end of June after raising $6.2 million, including $3.2 million of his own money. Endorsers include Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Keith Self.
Sarah Eckhardt (D) has represented Travis County in the Texas Senate since 2020 and previously served as Travis County judge. A former prosecutor, Eckhardt says she would focus the comptroller’s office on safety rather than divisive social issues, end no‑bid contracts to large donors, audit the voucher program, and run an independent office. She reported $240,002 cash on hand at the end of June after raising $394,531. Her endorsements include the Texas AFL‑CIO.
V. Alonzo Echavarria‑Garza (L) is the city manager of Hearne and formerly its chief financial officer. He ran for comptroller as a Libertarian in 2022 and is again on the ballot.
Shehla Faizi (Green) rounds out the field as the Green Party’s nominee.
Why the race matters locally
Although the comptroller is a statewide office, the outcome directly affects Denison residents through tax policy, school‑choice funding, and the oversight of state contracts that impact local services. Voters should consider each candidate’s stance on fiscal responsibility, transparency, and how they plan to protect families’ financial well‑being.
Original reporting: DenisonWeekly.news — read the source article.
