Statewide Offices on Your Ballot — Texas 2026
Bexar County · November 3, 2026
Statewide offices on your ballot
These offices lead the whole state of Texas, so every Bexar County voter gets to weigh in. Go office by office to see what each one does, why it matters, and who’s running — in plain language, with every candidate treated the same.
New to some of these names? Get to know the parties first:
How to use this page
Each statewide office below lists the candidates first — name, party, and current role. Tap More about under any candidate for their links and their own words, or open any section beneath a race to learn more:
- The Office
- The Process
- Why It Matters
- Common Mix-up
Governor
On every ballot
Who’s running
Greg Abbott
Current: Governor of Texas (since 2015)
More about Greg Abbott
Record
Governor since 2015; earlier served as Texas Attorney General (2002–2015) and a Texas Supreme Court Justice.
In his own words (from gregabbott.com)
- “Creating jobs and defending our constitutional rights and freedoms.”
- “Fighting for Texas families and Texas values.”
Gina Hinojosa
Current: Texas State Representative, District 49 (Austin, since 2017)
More about Gina Hinojosa
Record
Texas State Representative since 2017; previously served as president of the Austin ISD Board of Trustees.
In her own words (from ginafortexas.com)
- “Save Texas schools, put money in your pocket, and end the Greg Abbott Corruption Tax.”
- “Texans are hardworking people. We have put in Texas grit, and we deserve the American Dream.”
Pat Dixon
Current: engineer and business owner; former Lago Vista City Council member
More about Pat Dixon
Record
Previously served on the Lago Vista City Council; longtime Libertarian Party candidate and organizer.
In his own words (from patdixon.org)
- “Right sizing government means you can do anything you want as long as you are not harming others.”
- “Three choices is not a crowded ballot. You would not accept only two choices of bread, car, television station, or anything else.”
Learn more about this office
The Office
The Governor is the top leader of Texas state government — the state’s version of a chief executive. The Governor signs or vetoes state laws, appoints the heads of many state agencies and boards, commands the Texas National Guard, and can call the Legislature into special sessions.
The Process
Elected by all Texas voters to a four-year term. Texas sets no term limit, so a governor can serve as long as voters keep re-electing them.
4 yearslength of a term
Statewideall Texans vote
$153,750annual salary
No limiton terms served
Why It Matters
The Governor signs or vetoes every state law, shapes the budget, and appoints the people who run agencies that touch schools, health care, roads, and public safety. When a hurricane or flood hits, it’s the Governor who declares the state emergency that unlocks help.
Common Mix-up
The Governor doesn’t write the laws — the Texas Legislature does. The Governor signs them into law or vetoes them.
Who does what. A bill on school funding is written and passed by the Legislature. The Governor then decides whether to sign it into law or veto it.
Lieutenant Governor
On every ballot
Who’s running
Anthony Cristo
Current: high-school teacher and military veteran
More about Anthony Cristo
Record
No prior elected office; has run previously for U.S. House.
In his own words (from anthonycristo.com)
- “Cut Taxes and Spending.”
- “Embrace Free Markets, Diversity, and Immigrants.”
Vikki Goodwin
Current: Texas State Representative, District 47 (Austin, since 2019)
More about Vikki Goodwin
Record
Texas State Representative since 2019; prior career as a real-estate broker.
In her own words (from vikkigoodwin.com)
- “You deserve a well-funded, efficient system of free public schools.”
- “You deserve a safe, affordable place to live.”
Kevin McCormick
Current: Green Party nominee
More about Kevin McCormick
Record
No prior elected office found.
In his own words (from kmm2026.org)
- “Invest in public transportation by expanding bus fleets in Texas cities to reduce traffic congestion.”
- “Reform the Election Code to adopt ranked-choice voting in all elections.”
Dan Patrick
Current: Lieutenant Governor of Texas (since 2015)
More about Dan Patrick
Record
Lieutenant Governor since 2015; earlier served in the Texas Senate (2007–2015).
In his own words (from danpatrick.org)
- “Lower property and business taxes, create jobs and grow our economy.”
- “Secure our border, support law enforcement.”
Learn more about this office
The Office
The Lieutenant Governor leads the Texas Senate and is first in line to take over if the Governor leaves office. Many people consider it the most powerful job in state government, because this office decides which bills the Senate takes up and who leads its committees.
The Process
Elected by all Texas voters to a four-year term — separately from the Governor, so the two offices can be won by different parties.
4 yearslength of a term
Statewideall Texans vote
31senators it presides over
Why It Matters
By controlling what the Senate debates and who chairs its committees, the Lieutenant Governor can decide which ideas become law and which never even get a vote. Few offices shape Texas policy more.
Common Mix-up
The word “lieutenant” makes it sound like a junior helper to the Governor. It’s actually a separate, independently elected office with its own large powers over the Legislature.
More power than it sounds. The Lieutenant Governor — not the Governor — decides whether a bill even gets a hearing in the Texas Senate.
Attorney General
On every ballot
Open seat. The current Attorney General, Ken Paxton, is running for U.S. Senate instead of re-election, so this office will have a new officeholder.
Who’s running
Nathan Johnson
Current: Texas State Senator, District 16 (Dallas, since 2019)
More about Nathan Johnson
Record
Texas State Senator since 2019.
In his own words (from nathanfortexas.com)
- “Texas stands among the most powerful and important governments in the world. We ought to have a good lawyer. We don’t.”
Mayes Middleton
Current: Texas State Senator, District 11 (since 2023)
More about Mayes Middleton
Record
Texas State Senator since 2023; earlier served in the Texas House (2019–2023).
In his own words (from mayesmiddleton.com)
- “Ban taxpayer-funded lobbying.”
- “Ensure only legally qualified U.S. citizen voters vote in our Texas elections.”
Tom Oxford
Current: attorney (Beaumont area)
More about Tom Oxford
Record
Practicing attorney; longtime Libertarian candidate. No campaign website was found, so no candidate quotes are listed. See the Ballotpedia record above.
Learn more about this office
The Office
The Attorney General is the state’s lawyer. This office represents Texas in court, defends state laws, issues official legal opinions, enforces consumer-protection laws, and runs the state’s child-support enforcement program.
The Process
Elected by all Texas voters to a four-year term.
4 yearslength of a term
Statewideall Texans vote
Openno incumbent running
Why It Matters
The Attorney General decides which laws and lawsuits Texas will fight for or against, protects consumers from scams and fraud, and collects child support for Texas families.
Common Mix-up
The Attorney General usually does not prosecute everyday crimes — that’s your local District Attorney’s job. The AG mostly handles civil cases and represents the state.
Different lawyers, different jobs. A local robbery is prosecuted by the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney. The Attorney General defends a Texas law in court or collects unpaid child support.
Comptroller of Public Accounts
On every ballot
Who’s running
Sarah Eckhardt
Current: Texas State Senator, District 14 (Austin, since 2020)
More about Sarah Eckhardt
Record
Texas State Senator since 2020; previously Travis County Judge (2015–2020).
In her own words (from saraheckhardt.com)
- The Comptroller should “tell Texans honestly where their money is going.”
- Stated priorities include “Protect Public Schools” and “Stop No-Bid Contracts.”
V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza
Current: not listed
More about V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza
Record
Was the Libertarian nominee for Comptroller in 2022. No campaign website was found, so no candidate quotes are listed. See the Ballotpedia record above.
Shehla Faizi
Current: Green Party nominee; background in design and marketing
More about Shehla Faizi
Record
No prior elected office; Green Party activist.
In her own words (from faizifortexas.com)
- Calls to end “tax breaks for data centers.”
- Would administer “school vouchers and other state opportunities without religious bias.”
Don Huffines
Current: Texas Comptroller (appointed August 2026)
More about Don Huffines
Record
Appointed Comptroller in August 2026; earlier served in the Texas Senate (2015–2019).
In his own words (from donhuffines.com)
- “Keep Texas Dollars in Texas.”
- “Demand Honest Transparent Budgets.”
Learn more about this office
The Office
The Comptroller is Texas’ chief financial officer. This office collects state taxes, estimates how much money the state will have (which sets the limit on the state budget), manages state funds, and returns unclaimed property to Texans.
The Process
Elected by all Texas voters to a four-year term.
4 yearslength of a term
Statewideall Texans vote
Chiefstate financial officer
Why It Matters
The Comptroller’s revenue estimate caps how much the Legislature is allowed to spend, so this office quietly shapes the entire state budget — schools, roads, and health care included.
Common Mix-up
The Comptroller doesn’t set your tax rates — the Legislature and local governments do that. The Comptroller collects the taxes and forecasts revenue.
Collects, doesn’t set. The Legislature decides the state sales-tax rate; the Comptroller collects it and predicts how much it will raise.
Commissioner of the General Land Office
On every ballot
Who’s running
Dawn Buckingham
Current: Texas Land Commissioner (since 2023)
More about Dawn Buckingham
Record
Land Commissioner since 2023; earlier served in the Texas Senate (2017–2023).
In her own words (from dawnbuckingham.com)
- “Making the GLO the tip of the spear for defending our border.”
- “Protect Texas’ energy dominance.”
Benjamin Flores
Current: Bay City Council member; cybersecurity professional and rancher
More about Benjamin Flores
Record
Serves on the Bay City Council; no prior state office.
In his own words (from letsgowithben.com)
- “Direct every available dollar to public schools so districts can reduce pressure on property taxpayers.”
- “Protect Texas beaches and natural resources, strengthen storm-recovery programs.”
Neill Snider
Current: mechanical contractor and small cattle-operation owner
More about Neill Snider
Record
No prior elected office found.
In his own words (from voteneillsnider.com)
- State assets “should be managed efficiently and transparently to maximize revenue for Texas taxpayers and public schools, or should be sold.”
Learn more about this office
The Office
The Land Commissioner runs the Texas General Land Office, which manages millions of acres of state-owned land and the money it earns for public schools (the Permanent School Fund). It also runs veterans’ land and home-loan programs, helps the coast recover from hurricanes, and oversees the Alamo.
The Process
Elected by all Texas voters to a four-year term.
4 yearslength of a term
Statewideall Texans vote
School fundmanages state land & the PSF
Why It Matters
The land and energy leases this office manages send billions of dollars to Texas public schools, and it runs benefits many Texas veterans use to buy homes and land.
Common Mix-up
This office manages state-owned land and the school fund — not your personal property or your home’s tax value.
Not your home’s value. The Bexar Appraisal District sets your home’s value; the Land Office manages state land and veterans’ land programs.
Commissioner of Agriculture
On every ballot
Open seat. The current commissioner is not on the November ballot, so this office will have a new officeholder.
Who’s running
Austin R. Kelly
Current: agricultural scientist and consultant
More about Austin R. Kelly
Record
No prior elected office found.
In his own words (from kellyfortx.com)
- “Real water conservation strategies that keep our aquifers healthy—without the state stealing your groundwater rights.”
- “Cut the red tape that strangles family farms and protect your property from eminent domain abuse.”
Nate Sheets
Current: businessman; founder of a Texas honey company
More about Nate Sheets
Record
No prior elected office; won the 2026 Republican primary for this seat.
In his own words (from natesheets.com)
- “Requiring federal e-Verify for all legal employment in Texas.”
- Help Texas farmers “produce the cleanest food possible while growing their bottom line.”
Clayton Tucker
Current: rancher and beekeeper; former teacher
More about Clayton Tucker
Record
No prior elected office; ran for Texas Senate in 2020.
In his own words (from claytontuckertx.com)
- “Affordable Texas is all about making food, farming, and living affordable in Texas.”
- “Clayton Tucker fully supports the right for every farmer to raise hemp.”
Learn more about this office
The Office
The Agriculture Commissioner leads the Texas Department of Agriculture. Beyond supporting farmers and ranchers, this office runs the school-lunch program and — surprising to many — inspects the accuracy of gas pumps and grocery-store scales across Texas.
The Process
Elected by all Texas voters to a four-year term.
4 yearslength of a term
Statewideall Texans vote
Openno incumbent running
Why It Matters
This office touches everyday life more than most people expect — from the “certified accurate” sticker on the gas pump you use, to the food served in school cafeterias, to support for the farms that grow Texas food.
Common Mix-up
Many think it’s only about farming. It also protects consumers by making sure a gallon of gas is really a gallon and a pound of produce is really a pound.
It checks your gas pump. The accuracy sticker on a Bexar County gas pump comes from this office’s inspectors.
Railroad Commissioner
On every ballot
Who’s running
Arthur DiBianca
Current: retired computer programmer
More about Arthur DiBianca
Record
No prior elected office found.
In his own words (from votedibianca.com)
- “Let the market—not the government—decide the energy mix.”
- “Protect mineral owners and surface owners from government overreach and eminent domain abuse.”
Bo French
Current: business owner; former Tarrant County Republican Party chair
More about Bo French
Record
No prior elected office; former Tarrant County GOP chair.
In his own words (from bofrench.com)
- “Protecting Texas energy – the backbone of our economy.”
Jon Rosenthal
Current: Texas State Representative, District 135 (Houston, since 2019); engineer
More about Jon Rosenthal
Record
Texas State Representative since 2019; professional engineer.
In his own words (from jonrosenthaltx.com)
- “Keep the lights on, lower your costs, and put Texans first.”
- “Reliable, Affordable Power. Clean Air. Good Jobs.”
Learn more about this office
The Office
Despite the name, this office does not regulate railroads. The Railroad Commission regulates Texas’ oil and gas industry — drilling, wells, and pipelines — plus some mining. It has three members, and one seat is on the ballot this year.
The Process
Commissioners are elected by all Texas voters to six-year terms. The terms are staggered, so usually only one of the three seats is up in a given election.
6 yearslength of a term
3 memberson the commission
Oil & gaswhat it regulates
Why It Matters
Oil and gas are central to the Texas economy and to jobs. This commission’s decisions affect energy production, pipeline safety, and environmental cleanup across the state.
Common Mix-up
The name. It regulates oil, gas, and pipelines — not trains. Texas moved railroad oversight to other agencies long ago, but the old name stuck.
Not about trains. This office oversees oil wells and pipelines in places like the Permian Basin; it has nothing to do with passenger or freight trains.