Democratic Texas State Senator Sarah Eckhardt speaks to supporters during a session in the State Senate, as Republicans attempt to pass an HB 4, a bill that would redraw the state’s 38 Congressional Districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, U.S. August 23, 2025.
Q: The Comptroller serves as the state’s chief financial officer and revenue estimator. What is your vision for managing Texas’s finances, and what would be your top priorities?
A: My campaign is built on three pillars: affordability, transparency, and trust. Texas is the second richest state in the world’s richest nation, yet many Texans don’t feel economically stable. My top priority will be ensuring our state’s vast wealth, including the $28B Rainy Day Fund, is used to ensure hardworking families don’t go without food, medicine, or housing. I will prioritize restoring trust by acting as a watchdog against corruption and no-bid contrasts that currently divert public funds to political allies instead of being exercised to maximal use for the people.
Q: How do your platforms and approach to serving as Comptroller differ from other candidates in your party’s primary?
A: I bring two decades of legislative and executive experience, including serving as the first woman Travis County Judge. In that role, I managed a budget for 1.3M residents, oversaw 4,000 employees (more than currently employed in the Comptroller’s office), and successfully delivered balanced budgets while reducing property taxes three times. I value results over credit, which has allowed me to build a record of passing impactful, bipartisan legislation as a member of the minority party. My approach is to be a watchdog for the taxpayer, not a lapdog for the rich and powerful.
Q: The Comptroller oversees tax collection and has some discretion in enforcement. How would you approach tax policy and ensure fair and efficient collection?
A: I will ensure fair play in the tax system by preventing discrimination in property ownership and appraisals. I will also prioritize transparency, exposing loopholes exploited by special interests seeking to enrich themselves at the expense of everyday Texans. My administration will use the office’s power to map the flow of public dollars and identify where the state is paying too much for too little, ensuring that tax collection remains both efficient and fair.
Q: Texas doesn’t have a state income tax, relying heavily on sales tax and other revenue sources. How would you approach the sustainability of Texas’s revenue structure as the economy evolves?
A: Sustainability requires looking at alternatives to relieve the property tax burden while ensuring we can still meet constitutional obligations, like funding free public education. I am concerned that efforts to eliminate state property taxes entirely will destabilize our ability to pay for basics and push an unsustainable burden onto local entities. I will provide realistic projections of future needs and sustainable funding options to inform legislation that prepares Texas for long-term growth.
Q: The Comptroller manages significant state investments and the state’s Treasury. What would guide your investment decisions, and how would you balance returns with fiscal responsibility?
A: My investment decisions will be guided by the constitutional and statutory obligations to the people of Texas. I will focus on strategic, one-time investments from the Rainy Day Fund in critical infrastructure, such as water projects ($154B needed over 50 years), extreme weather communications, and rural hospital capacity. I will also move state investments away from «sweetheart deals» and toward programs that provide a clear public purpose and a fair return for taxpayers.