Donald Huffines
Donald Huffines (Republican Party) is running for election for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. He declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled on March 3, 2026.
Huffines (Republican Party) was a member of the Texas State Senate, representing District 16. He assumed office in 2015. He left office on January 8, 2019.
Huffines completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Huffines graduated from the University of Texas, Austin in 1981 with a B.B.A. in Finance. He started working for Henry S. Miller Company, the largest commercial brokerage company in Texas, in 1982. Huffines was promoted to vice president in 1984.[1] Huffines started the company Huffines Communities in 1985, which grew to be one of the largest real-estate developers in Dallas.[2] He has been affiliated with Huffines Liberty Foundation.[3]
Committee assignments
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Administration |
| • Education |
| • Intergovernmental Relations |
| • Natural Resources and Economic Development |
| • Veteran Affairs & Border Security, Vice chair |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Huffines served on the following committees:
| Texas committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Administration |
| • Business & Commerce |
| • Education |
| • Transportation, Vice-Chair |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2026
See also: Texas Comptroller election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Republican primary
Republican primary for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Incumbent Kelly Hancock (R) and Donald Huffines (R) are running in the Republican primary for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| | Kelly Hancock | |
| | Donald Huffines ![]() | |
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Endorsements
To view Huffines's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2022
See also: Texas gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of Texas
The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Texas on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Greg Abbott (R) | 54.8 | 4,437,099 | |
| Beto O'Rourke (D) | 43.9 | 3,553,656 | ||
Mark Tippetts (L) ![]() | 1.0 | 81,932 | ||
| Delilah Barrios (G) | 0.4 | 28,584 | ||
Jacqueline Abernathy (Independent) (Write-in) ![]() | 0.0 | 1,243 | ||
Mark Goloby (Independent) (Write-in) ![]() | 0.0 | 394 | ||
| Total votes: 8,102,908 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Reginald Jennings II (Independent)
- Jorge Franco (Independent)
- Jeremy Rios (Independent)
- Ricardo Turullols-Bonilla (Independent)
- Justin Cunneen (Independent)
- Sean Sharp (Independent)
- Demetra Wysinger (Independent)
- Chioma Okoro (Independent)
- Star Locke (Independent)
- Raul Cortina (Independent)
- Patrick Wynne (Reform Party)
- Jal Dennis (Independent)
- Deirdre Dickson-Gilbert (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Texas
Beto O'Rourke defeated Joy Diaz, Michael Cooper, Rich Wakeland, and Inocencio Barrientez in the Democratic primary for Governor of Texas on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Beto O'Rourke | 91.4 | 983,182 | |
Joy Diaz ![]() | 3.1 | 33,622 | ||
| Michael Cooper | 3.0 | 32,673 | ||
Rich Wakeland ![]() | 1.2 | 13,237 | ||
| Inocencio Barrientez | 1.2 | 12,887 | ||
| Total votes: 1,075,601 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Texas
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Texas on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Greg Abbott | 66.5 | 1,299,059 | |
Allen B. West ![]() | 12.3 | 239,557 | ||
| Donald Huffines | 12.0 | 234,138 | ||
| Chad Prather | 3.8 | 74,173 | ||
| Rick Perry | 3.1 | 61,424 | ||
Kandy Kaye Horn ![]() | 1.2 | 23,605 | ||
| Paul Belew | 0.6 | 11,387 | ||
Daniel Harrison ![]() | 0.6 | 10,829 | ||
| Total votes: 1,954,172 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Green convention
Green convention for Governor of Texas
Delilah Barrios advanced from the Green convention for Governor of Texas on April 9, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Delilah Barrios (G) | |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Governor of Texas
Mark Tippetts defeated Fidel Castillo in the Libertarian convention for Governor of Texas on April 10, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| Fidel Castillo (L) | ||
| ✔ | Mark Tippetts (L) ![]() | |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Andrew Jewell (L)
- Daniel Behrman (L)
Campaign finance
2018
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Texas State Senate District 16
Nathan Johnson defeated incumbent Donald Huffines in the general election for Texas State Senate District 16 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Nathan Johnson (D) | 54.1 | 159,228 | |
| Donald Huffines (R) | 45.9 | 134,933 | ||
| Total votes: 294,161 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 16
Nathan Johnson defeated Joe Bogen in the Democratic primary for Texas State Senate District 16 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Nathan Johnson | 69.6 | 25,330 | |
| Joe Bogen | 30.4 | 11,068 | ||
| Total votes: 36,398 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 16
Incumbent Donald Huffines advanced from the Republican primary for Texas State Senate District 16 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Donald Huffines | 100.0 | 30,311 | |
| Total votes: 30,311 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2014
- See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for 15 of the 31 seats in the Texas State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 4, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was December 9, 2013. Donald Huffines defeated incumbent John Carona in the Republican primary. Mike Dooling (L) filed for election but did not appear on the general election ballot. Huffines was unopposed in the general election.[4][5][6]
Prior to the March 4 primary, Huffines said Carona was too liberal and described the 18-year incumbent as out-of-touch in the district.[7] After Huffines declared for the seat, Carona said: "I’m surprised Mr. Huffines was running as a Republican considering that he spent a small fortune attacking Republicans in the 2012 presidential campaign, but I welcome a thorough debate on the issues facing Texans."[8] In 2012, Huffines helped form a SuperPAC that supported Ron Paul and spent more than $400,000 in the race.[7] Texas Monthly named Carona one of the worst legislators in 2013, pointing in part to his long absence during the session.[9]
Endorsements
Huffines was endorsed by the following groups and individuals for the 2014 Texas State Senate election.
- Dick Armey, former U.S. House Majority Leader[10]
- Rand Paul, U.S. Senator from Kentucky[10]
- Empower Texans[11]
- Michael Quinn Sullivan, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility[10]
- Tim Lambert, Texas Home School Coalition[10]
- Cathie Adams, President, Texas Eagle Forum[10]
- Denise McNamara, Former National Republican Committeewoman[10]
- JoAnn Fleming, Executive Director, Grassroots America[10]
- Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO, Liberty Institute[10]
- Texas Right to Life[10]
- David Barton, President of WallBuilders and former Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas[10]
- Texas Conservative Digest[10]
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Donald Huffines completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Huffines' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
As a Texas State Senator, I uncovered the largest government corruption scandal in modern Texas history. I exposed a corrupt 100 million dollar agency, shut it down overnight, sent six officials to prison, and saved Texans tens of millions of dollars. While in the Senate, I never took a penny of government money: no salary, no pension, no healthcare, no per diem. I will do the same as Comptroller.
I am running for Texas Comptroller to stand with President Trump and bring bold, business-minded leadership to Austin. Before he was assassinated, Charlie Kirk endorsed me for Comptroller, saying, “Don Huffines is the only candidate in this race with the courage and the track record to bring President Trump’s brand of leadership to Texas.”
As Comptroller, I will DOGE Texas to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse, audit government with private-sector discipline, and fight to return savings and budget surpluses to taxpayers through real property tax relief. I am running to keep Texas strong, free, and prosperous for generations to come.- Stand With Trump & Fight Government Corruption I am the only true MAGA Republican in this race and the only candidate who proudly stands with President Donald J. Trump. Before he was assassinated, Charlie Kirk endorsed me for Comptroller, saying, “Don Huffines is the only candidate in this race with the courage and the track record to bring President Trump’s brand of leadership to Texas.” As a Texas State Senator, I exposed a multi-million dollar corruption scandal that sent six people to prison and saved taxpayers millions. As Comptroller, I will audit government, expose corruption, and put thieves in jail for stealing from taxpayers.
- Run Government Like a Business & End Waste Texas spends more than $500 million every single day. I am a successful businessman who will bring private-sector efficiency, discipline, and accountability to the Comptroller’s office. As a State Senator, I never took a penny of government money: no pay, no pension, no healthcare, no per diem, nothing. And just like President Trump, I will not take a salary as Comptroller. I will DOGE Texas to eliminate fraud and waste, recruit top talent, and build a results-driven culture focused on saving taxpayer money, returning surpluses, and treating every taxpayer like a valued customer.
- Protect Texas Families, Stop Woke Ideology, & End Taxpayer Funding for Illegals I have already proven I will stand up to the radical Left. I exposed a taxpayer-funded transgender youth website and got it shut down. As Comptroller, I will eliminate woke DEI programs and stop transgender indoctrination in schools. I will also work with President Trump to secure the border, enforce immigration laws, and expose the true cost of illegal immigration, including the billions spent educating illegal aliens in our schools.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2022
Donald Huffines did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2014
In announcing his campaign in October 2013, Huffines said he believes in "limited government, in cutting spending so we can decrease taxes. I believe in the traditional family." He added: "We’re going to raise enough money to get our message out – a career politician and one of the most liberal senators in Austin against a true conservative."[7][12] Huffines' politics are considered to have a "strong libertarian tinge."[13] Huffines listed a number of issues on his campaign website, including the following excerpts:
- Term limits: Huffines said if elected he will not serve more than three terms.[14]
- Taxes and Fees: Huffines said: "I believe that government should live within its means. It is my pledge to the voters not to increase taxes or fees. As government expands, the price tag falls on the taxpayers. We cannot afford this nor should we. I will work to find every tax dollar wasted on unnecessary fees and eliminate taxes that do nothing more than expand the role of government."[14]
- Education: Huffines said: "I want to ensure that every child in Texas has the best education possible. I believe that no one knows better for his or her child than parents and families. While the Texas Constitution does provide for public education, kids are served best when parents have choices in education. I support families making the best decision regarding their children’s education and keeping the state out of the process as best as possible. As a father of five, I understand the difficult decisions that parents face. I support broadening the options available for families by making our public schools more competitive, capping the salaries of school administrators, expanding charter schools, and empowering both parents and teachers with choices."[14]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Texas scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2018
In 2018, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session.
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Texas State Legislature was in its 85th legislative session from January 10 through May 29. A special session was held from July 18 to August 15.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session. |
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Texas State Legislature was in its 84th legislative session from January 13 through June 1.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
When he served in the state Senate, Huffines and his wife, Mary Catherine, had four sons and one daughter.[2]
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Huffines Communities, "Donald Huffines," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Don Huffines Campaign Website, "About" accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on November 24, 2025
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current ELECTION HISTORY," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ Green Party of Texas, "Greens Release Candidate List," accessed July 26, 2014
- ↑ The Libertarian Party of Texas, "2014 Texas Senate Candidates List," accessed July 26, 2014
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Dallas Morning News "Republican developer Don Huffines says he’ll be challenging Senate veteran John Carona from the right," October 28, 2013
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedtrib - ↑ Texas Monthly "The Worst: Senator John Carona" accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 Don Huffines Campaign Website, "Endorsements," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ "John Carona challenger Don Huffines airs ad during Fiesta Bowl," Dallas Morning News, January 2, 2014 (dead link)
- ↑ Texas Tribune ,"" November 29, 2013
- ↑ Dallas Morning News, "Dallas-area races for Legislature bring heated primary challenges" December 10, 2013
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Don Huffines Campaign Website, "Issues," accessed January 20, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Texas State Senate District 16 2015-2019 |
Succeeded by Nathan Johnson (D) |
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