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

Eckhardt announced her candidacy on Dec. 8, 2025. She faces Republican Don Huffines, Green Party candidate Shehla Faizi and Libertarian V. Alonzo Echevarria-Garza.

Asked why she is running in our candidate questionnaire, Eckhardt said, "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 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 …"

Candidate information

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."

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

Experience and public service

Eckhardt described her public service record in our questionnaire: "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 said she was the first woman elected as Travis County judge, according to her campaign website.

Asked what qualifies her for the job, Eckhardt said in our questionnaire, "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 …" She said she also built infrastructure on time and on budget and oversaw a massive increase in good-paying jobs.

She added, "… I managed more than 4,000 employees; there are 3,000 in the Comptroller's office, and I am prepared to let them loose doing the honest work of telling Texans where their money is going."

On the issues

Revenue estimate: Asked how she would keep the comptroller's revenue estimate accurate, 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."

Education savings accounts: On the state voucher program, Eckhardt said, "I will very carefully and aggressively manage the program to ensure that contractors are complying with their obligations to the state. I will accurately and transparently report to the Legislature and to the people of Texas who is benefiting from the program a lot, a little and not at all."

Property taxes: Asked about proposals to eliminate school district property taxes, Eckhardt said, "… Funding property tax buydowns relies on temporary budget surpluses. Assuming these boom conditions will last indefinitely is fiscally reckless." She added that current policies "ignore other struggling groups—such as young homeowners, businesses, and particularly renters, who receive zero relief under current state proposals."

Tax exemptions: Eckhardt said she would "analyze all of the tax exemptions and submit a report to the Legislature on their effectiveness going forward."

Four candidates are certified for the race.