AUSTIN, Texas — In 2026, Texans will decide who will be the next state comptroller, known as the chief financial officer for the Lone Star State.

This election cycle, some experts are saying the stakes are higher, with the comptroller tasked with overseeing the state’s new school voucher program that starts next fall.

The state legislature passed the $1 billion program this year, allowing families to apply to receive thousands of dollars to move to a private school.

“It’s a position that’s becoming increasingly important,” said Mark P. Jones, political science professor at Rice University. “The education savings account program, which is $1 billion and is politically very important to Gov. Abbott, will be managed by the comptroller.”

The job is currently held by Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, who was appointed by Abbott this year to fill the position left open by Glenn Hegar. Hancock is vying to keep the role.

“We’re offering the largest educational freedom accounts in the state of Texas that we’ve ever seen in the nation,” Hancock told CBS Austin earlier this month.

ALSO| State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt launches bid for Texas Comptroller

Hancock is overseeing the launch of the school voucher program, setting its rules, hiring outside companies, and answering to the public.

He is in the race with other Republicans, like former State Senator Don Huffines.

“I’ve always fought to empower parents and students with education freedom and real competition, because competition lowers costs and raises the quality of everything it touches,” Huffines said in a statement Friday. “It works in every industry, and it is guaranteed to fix failing government schools. When I am Comptroller, Texas will have the most grand education freedom program in the world.”

Austin-area Democratic State Senator Sarah Eckhardt also launched her campaign for the office earlier this month.

“I think that voters have lost trust that we have a government that’s accountable to them. That we have a government that will show up when we need them and get out of our way when we don’t need it,” she said after filing to run.

The role has already been in the headlines this month.

Hancock requested an opinion from Attorney General Ken Paxton about whether or not schools linked to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) should be disqualified from the program, citing Gov. Abbott’s recent order declaring CAIR a “foreign terrorist organization.”

What some experts are calling a “sleeper race” may end up being one of the most impactful.

The Texas Primary Election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd.

AUSTIN, Texas – The Central Texas Food Bank and Austin Pets Alive! are hosting a drive-up food distribution in Austin for people and pets.

The backstory:

Anyone living in Austin or Travis County is welcome to drive up for food for the people and pets in their households.

The food distribution will be held on Friday, Dec. 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

It will be held at the Delco Activity Center located at 4601 Pecan Brook Dr. in Austin.

Pets do not need to be present to receive pet food.

Officials say the two non-profits should have enough for approximately 250 households.