The 2026 race for Texas comptroller features a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian and Green Party candidate competing to oversee the state's $1 billion school voucher fund (TEFA). Republican Don Huffines, the current comptroller, supports doubling the fund's budget for the next biennium. Democrat Sarah Eckhardt opposes rapid expansion before evaluating program results.
Where
Statewide
When
2026
Sources
One outlet
Taxes and money
The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.
Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) current fund size$1 billion1Who pays or receives it: State of Texas
Additional TEFA funding requested for 2028-29 biennium$1 billion1Who pays or receives it: State of Texas
TEFA requests for fundingmore than 274,000 requests1
TEFA students funded before fund reached capmore than 100,000 students1Who pays or receives it: State of Texas
Who's involved
Don HuffinesRepublican comptroller candidate and current comptroller
Sarah EckhardtDemocratic state senator and comptroller candidate
Greg AbbottGovernor who appointed Huffines as comptroller
Kelly HancockFormer acting comptroller defeated by Huffines in March primary
Brent BoyeaPolitical science professor at University of Texas at Arlington
Jim HamillCox School of Business at Southern Methodist University
The facts
Texas counted more than 274,000 requests for TEFA money for private or home schooling.1
More than 100,000 students received TEFA money before the program hit its $1 billion cap.1
Huffines asked legislators to add another $1 billion to TEFA for the 2028-29 biennium.1
Huffines defeated former acting comptroller Kelly Hancock in March's Republican primary.1
Abbott appointed Huffines as comptroller this spring after Huffines previously ran to unseat him as governor.1
State data shows 70% of TEFA recipients already had children in private or home schools.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Don Huffines He is a champion of the TEFA program and it will substantially increase.1
Don Huffines The comptroller must present the legislature a budget including everyone on the TEFA waitlist.1
Sarah Eckhardt New programs should not double funding before completing a single year of operation.1
Sarah Eckhardt The comptroller should assess program results and report to lawmakers on program effectiveness.1
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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