Don Huffines for Comptroller: The True Texan Who Puts Texas First by Jeff Callaway

Don Huffines for Comptroller: The True Texan Who Puts Texas First

by Jeff Callaway

Texas Outlaw Poet

As the 2026 Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts race takes shape, one candidate stands head and shoulders above the rest for those who cherish Texas values, fiscal responsibility, and independence from federal overreach: Don Huffines. A fifth-generation Texan, successful businessman, and unapologetic conservative, Huffines embodies the spirit of the Lone Star State. He’s not just running for Comptroller—he’s fighting for Texas’ soul, vowing to protect our wallets, our values, and our sovereignty. This op-ed will lay out, in exhaustive detail, why Huffines is the only choice for Texans who reject woke ideologies, demand pro-life leadership, seek a faithful Christian steward, and want a leader unbeholden to shadowy interests. We’ll compare him to his Republican opponents, Christi Craddick and Kelly Hancock, exposing where they fall short, and address the Democratic Party’s shameful absence in this critical race. By the end, you’ll see why every self-respecting Texan must rally behind Don Huffines on election day.

The Comptroller’s Role: Texas’ Fiscal Guardian

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is no mere number-cruncher. As the state’s chief financial officer, accountant, revenue estimator, and treasurer, the Comptroller wields immense power over Texas’ economic future. The office collects over 60 taxes and fees, manages state cash and assets, estimates future revenue (setting the legislature’s spending cap), and administers critical programs. It’s the cashier, watchdog, and advisor rolled into one—safeguarding taxpayer dollars, producing financial reports, and guiding the state budget. In short, the Comptroller ensures Texas puts its money where its mouth is, funding what matters while cutting waste. For a state as proud and independent as Texas, this role demands a leader who’s fiercely Texan, fiscally disciplined, and unafraid to stand up to federal meddling or woke nonsense. Don Huffines is that leader.

Don Huffines: A True Texan, Unbought and Unbowed

Don Huffines is the embodiment of Texas grit and independence. Born and raised in Dallas, a fifth-generation Texan, Huffines built a successful real estate development business, proving his knack for managing money and creating value. His tenure as a Texas state senator (2015-2019) showcased his commitment to shrinking government, slashing taxes, and rooting out waste. Unlike career politicians, Huffines funds his own campaigns, ensuring he answers to Texans, not donors or shadowy puppeteers. His 2021 gubernatorial run, though unsuccessful, cemented his reputation as a fearless conservative, challenging establishment figures like Governor Greg Abbott with a platform of eliminating property taxes and rejecting federal overreach.

Huffines’ campaign for Comptroller is a natural extension of his mission: to make Texas the freest, most prosperous state in the nation. His “DOGE Texas” plan—modeled on efficiency drives like Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—promises aggressive audits to eliminate fraud, waste, and ideological spending. He’s pledged to return savings to taxpayers, particularly through property tax relief, a cause he’s championed for years. His track record, from pushing E-Verify to secure borders to opposing state-funded “woke” programs, shows a man who lives and breathes Texas values.

Anti-Woke Warrior: Huffines is unmatched in his fight against woke ideologies. He’s been vocal against taxpayer-funded “transgender ideology,” notably criticizing a Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) webpage encouraging gender identity exploration among youth. He vowed to “stop tax dollars promoting transgender ideology” (Texas Scorecard, 2025). Endorsed by Riley Gaines, a national figure opposing transgender participation in women’s sports, Huffines frames this as a cultural battle against “taxpayer-funded DEI and transgender madness” (Dallas Express, 2025). While he hasn’t explicitly addressed funding sex-change surgeries for minors, his broader stance suggests he’d fiercely oppose such measures, prioritizing traditional values over progressive agendas.

Pro-Life Champion: Huffines’ pro-life record is ironclad. Endorsed by Texas Right to Life, he’s committed to ensuring no state funds support abortion providers or undermine Texas’ pro-life laws. His campaign materials pledge to “abolish abortion” entirely, a stance rooted in his deep Christian faith (donhuffines.com). For voters who see life as non-negotiable, Huffines is the clear choice.

Christian Faith: A self-described “strong Christian,” Huffines wears his faith proudly, aligning with voters who want a Comptroller guided by biblical principles. While not explicitly Catholic, his evangelical conviction resonates with Texans seeking moral leadership in fiscal matters. His campaign emphasizes “faith, family, and freedom,” a trinity that defines his worldview.

Fiscal Responsibility: Huffines’ business acumen and anti-waste crusade make him a natural fit for Comptroller. His plan includes rigorous audits to identify and redirect wasteful spending, particularly on programs he deems ideological. He’s proposed tracking costs of illegal immigration to protect Texas’ budget and advocated eliminating the school maintenance and operations (M&O) property tax, a bold move to ease taxpayer burdens (donhuffines.com). His focus is clear: every dollar spent must serve Texans, not bureaucrats or special interests.

Anti-Federal Stance: Huffines is a staunch defender of Texas sovereignty. He’s criticized federal border failures, calling for state-led solutions like E-Verify enforcement to protect Texas jobs and resources (CBS News, 2025). As Comptroller, he’d ensure Texas’ financial independence, resisting federal mandates that drain our coffers or impose progressive policies.

Independence: Unlike his opponents, Huffines’ self-funding and anti-establishment stance make him beholden to no one but Texans. Historical campaign filings show significant self-contributions from his business ventures, supplemented by conservative PACs like Conservative Republicans of Texas (~$76,500 in past cycles, OpenSecrets). Endorsements from national figures like Ted Cruz bolster his campaign without tying him to corporate or insider interests. Huffines is his own man, driven by principle, not puppet strings.

The Other Candidates: Falling Short of Texas’ Needs

While Christi Craddick and Kelly Hancock are Republicans with conservative credentials, they don’t measure up to Huffines’ bold, independent vision. Here’s why they fail to meet your expectations as a Texas Outlaw Poet supporter.

Christi Craddick: Tied to Big Oil, Lacking Cultural Clarity

Christi Craddick, chair of the Texas Railroad Commission, brings a technocratic resume and deep ties to the energy industry. Her Midland roots and legal background give her credibility, but her campaign falls short in key areas.

Woke/Trans Issues: Craddick opposes boys in girls’ sports, calling it “common sense” (Midland Times, 2025), and has spoken against funding “radical agendas” like DEI. However, her stance lacks the fiery clarity of Huffines. She hasn’t addressed taxpayer-funded sex-change surgeries for minors, leaving voters guessing on this critical issue. Her focus on energy and audits overshadows cultural conservatism, making her less aligned with your anti-woke priorities.

Pro-Life: Craddick supports pro-life policies as a “Texas value” but lacks the explicit, aggressive commitment of Huffines. Her campaign doesn’t highlight abortion as a priority, suggesting a softer stance that may not satisfy staunch pro-life voters.

Religion: Craddick emphasizes “faith, family, freedom” but doesn’t specify her denomination or lean as heavily into Christian identity as Huffines. For voters prioritizing a Catholic or strong Christian leader, she’s less compelling.

Independence: Craddick’s biggest weakness is her deep ties to energy donors. Campaign filings show $1.58 million in recent contributions, largely from oil and gas PACs and West Texas networks (OpenSecrets, 2025). While energy is vital to Texas, this reliance raises concerns about influence from industry insiders, unlike Huffines’ self-funded independence.

Fiscal/Anti-Federal: Craddick’s audit-focused platform and opposition to federal overreach (e.g., Biden’s Green New Deal) are solid but lack Huffines’ bold tax relief proposals or border security focus. Her energy-centric campaign feels narrower, less attuned to broader Texan concerns.

Kelly Hancock: Establishment Insider, Too Soft on Culture

Kelly Hancock, the acting Comptroller and former state senator, benefits from incumbency and Governor Abbott’s endorsement. His legislative experience is notable, but his establishment ties and muted cultural stances make him a weaker choice.

Woke/Trans Issues: Hancock supported bills like SB 15 and HB 229, aligning sports participation with biological sex (Vote Smart, 2025). However, his rhetoric is less confrontational than Huffines’, focusing on “pro-family policies” rather than directly attacking woke spending. Like Craddick, he hasn’t explicitly addressed taxpayer-funded sex-change surgeries for minors, leaving a gap for voters who demand clarity.

Pro-Life: Hancock’s pro-life stance is assumed within GOP norms, but he lacks the explicit endorsements or bold pledges of Huffines. His campaign doesn’t prioritize this issue, which is a dealbreaker for voters who see it as non-negotiable.

Religion: Hancock identifies as Christian but doesn’t emphasize faith as a campaign cornerstone. For voters seeking a Catholic or deeply faith-driven leader, his generic approach falls flat compared to Huffines’ overt Christian identity.

Independence: Hancock’s biggest flaw is his establishment backing. Endorsed by Abbott and funded by GOP insiders and business PACs (~$1.67 million, TransparencyUSA, 2025), he’s seen as part of the Austin machine. This contrasts sharply with Huffines’ outsider status and self-funding.

Fiscal/Anti-Federal: Hancock prioritizes transparency and modernizing payments but lacks Huffines’ aggressive tax relief or anti-federal rhetoric. His focus on school choice and rural grants is fine but doesn’t match Huffines’ sweeping vision for fiscal independence and border security.

In short, Craddick and Hancock are competent Republicans but lack Huffines’ fire, independence, and cultural conservatism. Their donor ties and softer stances on woke issues and abortion make them less aligned with your values as a true Texas First supporter.

The Democratic Party’s Shameful Absence

The Democratic Party’s failure to field a single major candidate for Comptroller by October 2025 is a disgrace (Houston Chronicle, 2025). This isn’t just a strategic misstep—it’s a slap in the face to Texas workers, taxpayers, and citizens. The Comptroller controls the state’s purse strings, yet Democrats have abandoned the field, signaling they don’t care about how Texas’ money is spent or who safeguards it. This absence proves they’re out of touch with the hardworking men and women of Texas—ranchers, oil workers, small business owners—who want their tax dollars protected from waste and ideology. It’s pathetic that a party claiming to represent the “working class” can’t muster a candidate to fight for fiscal responsibility. Texans deserve better, and the Democratic no-show only underscores why a strong, independent conservative like Huffines is essential.

Why Don Huffines Is the Man for the Job

Don Huffines isn’t just a candidate—he’s a movement. His vision for the Comptroller’s office is a masterclass in putting Texas first. He’ll wield the office’s audit powers like a scalpel, cutting out every cent of woke spending—whether it’s DEI nonsense or programs pushing transgender ideology. His pro-life commitment ensures no taxpayer dollar will fund abortion or undermine Texas’ sanctity-of-life laws. As a strong Christian, he’ll bring moral clarity to fiscal decisions, guided by faith and principle. His self-funded campaign and anti-establishment record prove he’s not bought by Big Oil, Austin insiders, or shadowy groups—he answers only to Texans.

Huffines’ fiscal plan is a love letter to Texas taxpayers. His “DOGE Texas” initiative will hunt down waste, fraud, and inefficiency, redirecting savings to property tax relief—a burden Texans have groaned under for too long. By tracking illegal immigration costs and enforcing E-Verify, he’ll protect Texas’ budget from federal failures. His opposition to federal overreach ensures our state’s financial sovereignty, keeping Washington’s hands out of our pockets. This is a man who loves Texas with every fiber of his being, a fifth-generation son of the soil who knows our history, our values, and our dreams.

On election day, November 3, 2026, every true Texan—every rancher, teacher, oilman, and small-town patriot—must march to the polls and cast their vote for Don Huffines. He’s not just the best choice; he’s the only choice for those who want a Comptroller who’ll fight for our values, our wallets, and our independence. Picture a Texas where your tax dollars fund roads, schools, and safety—not woke agendas or federal mandates. Picture a Comptroller who stands tall, Bible in one hand, budget ledger in the other, saying, “Not on my watch.” That’s Don Huffines.

Texans, this is our moment. Don’t settle for establishment insiders or industry puppets. Don’t let the Democratic Party’s cowardice hand our future to mediocrity. Vote for the man who bleeds red, white, and blue—the man who’ll make Texas proud. Vote Don Huffines for Comptroller, and let’s keep Texas the greatest state in the Union.

~Jeff Callaway

Texas Outlaw Poet

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