State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, a Democrat, is running for Texas comptroller of public accounts in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The comptroller sets the revenue estimate that caps state spending and administers the education savings account program affecting districts statewide, including Allen ISD.

This candidacy is listed in the Texas secretary of state’s official November 3, 2026 certification for Collin County.

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

Four candidates are on the ballot. Also running are Don Huffines (Republican), Shehla Faizi (Green) and V. Alonzo Echevarria-Garza (Libertarian).

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

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Occupation: "Attorney and public official," according to our questionnaire.

Education: "Double Longhorn: LBJ School of Public Affairs and UT Law," Eckhardt said in our questionnaire. According to her Texas Senate page, she earned a juris doctor from the University of Texas at Austin in 1998.

Eckhardt described her offices in our questionnaire as "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 accomplishments show she can handle the job, Eckhardt said: "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, 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."

Revenue estimates: Eckhardt described the biennial revenue estimate process, saying in our questionnaire: "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. This is not an opportunity to inject political grandstanding."

Education savings accounts: On administering the state's voucher program, Eckhardt said: "Although I did not vote for this program in my capacity as a state senator, as Comptroller my responsibility is well laid out in the law. I will very carefully and aggressively manage the program to ensure that contractors are complying with their obligations to the state …"

Property taxes: Asked whether she supports proposals to eliminate school district property taxes, Eckhardt said: "Continuing this strategy is ill-advised for two reasons. First, funding property tax buydowns relies on temporary budget surpluses. Assuming these boom conditions will last indefinitely is fiscally reckless …"

Economic development incentives: On tax exemptions, Eckhardt said: "Many are just handouts to wealthy corporations that do not need the incentive and would do business and generate profits without them, such as for AI data centers …" She said she would "analyze all of the tax exemptions and submit a report to the Legislature on their effectiveness going forward …"

Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.