Don Huffines
State senateTexas
District16th
Term startJanuary 13, 2015
Term endJanuary 8, 2019
PredecessorJohn Carona
SuccessorNathan M. Johnson
Birth nameDonald Blaine Huffines
Birth dateApril 26, 1958 (age 68)
Birth placeDallas, Texas, U.S.
PartyRepublican
SpouseMary Huffines
EducationUniversity of Texas, Austin (BBA)

Donald Blaine Huffines (born April 26, 1958) is an American politician and businessman from the state of Texas. Huffines co-owns and operates Huffines Communities, a real estate development company in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.[1] A conservative Tea Party Republican, Huffines represented the 16th district in the Texas Senate from 2015 to 2019; he lost his re-election campaign in 2018.[2]

Huffines ran for governor of Texas in the 2022 Republican primary, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Greg Abbott, following the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.[3]

On March 7, 2025, Huffines announced his candidacy for Texas comptroller.[4] He won the Republican primary for comptroller on March 3, 2026, becoming the party's nominee.[5]

Early life and education

Don Huffines is a fifth-generation Texan, born in Dallas on April 26, 1958. He has two older brothers, James and Ray, and an identical twin brother, Phillip. In his childhood, he and his brothers helped out at their grandfather's car dealership. Don Huffines' grandfather, James Lecil "J.L." Huffines, started the Huffines Motor Company in Denton, Texas, in 1924. The company has since grown into a large network of metroplex dealerships run by Don's brother, Ray Huffines.

Huffines graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.B.A in finance.[1]

Real-estate career

Huffines and his twin brother Phillip are the co-founders and current owners of Huffines Communities, a Dallas/Fort Worth real-estate company they established in 1985.[6][1] Huffines is also the president and founder of Huffines Enterprises.[7]

In 2022, he founded the Huffines Liberty Foundation, a Texas think-tank proposing fiscally conservative public policies.[8] Huffines has published numerous op-eds with the Foundation in the Houston Chronicle and Dallas Morning News about property taxes.

Texas Senate

In 2014, Huffines ran for a seat in the Texas State Senate. He challenged the incumbent of district 16, Senator John J. Carona, in the Republican primary. Huffines' campaign claimed that Carona was not a true conservative; Huffines ultimately won the primary against Carona on March 4, 2014. A combined total of $6.3 million was spent by both candidates in the primary race.[citation needed]

In the November 4 general election, Huffines ran unopposed.[9] Huffines campaigned on the themes of term limits, school choice, funding highway construction, opposing new toll roads, cutting taxes, and teaching creationism in public schools.[10]

Tenure

During his time in office, Huffines authored many bills addressing Republican priorities[11] and consistently voted along his party line on conservative legislation.

A Rice University Baker Institute study by political science fellow Mark Jones named Huffines the fourth-most conservative member of the 2017 Texas Senate.[12] He scored 97% on the Texans for Fiscal Responsibility Index the same year.[13] Huffines received a 92% career rating from Young Conservatives of Texas.[14] Huffines was also recognized as a "Faith & Family" champion by Texas Values Action, with a score of 98%.[15]

Huffines served as vice-chair of the Texas Senate Border Security, Veteran Affairs, and Transportation committees. He also served as a member of the Education, Business & Commerce, Intergovernmental Regulations, and Natural Resources & Economic Development committees.[9]

In 2017, Huffines got a bipartisan bill to end Texas state vehicle inspections approved in the Texas Senate. In passing the legislation, Huffines was joined by his Republican colleagues and seven Democrats. The Texas Tribune claimed that if Huffines' bill were to become law, it would eliminate the state's vehicle safety inspection requirement for most vehicles and save about $140 million per year statewide.[16][17] The bill then failed in the Texas House, without a vote on the floor.

Huffines also proposed a bill in 2017 that would have required 30% voter turnout for any bond approval vote in Texas to be successful. At the time, most of these elections drew fewer than 10% of voters to the polls.[citation needed][18]

Huffines is also known for advocating the elimination of those Dallas County Schools that mismanaged taxpayer money.[19] Six people were imprisoned after being exposed for their roles in a multi-million dollar scam, with assistance by the FBI.[19][20]

On November 6, 2018, Huffines lost his re-election bid to Democrat Nathan M. Johnson, who was the first Democrat to win Senate District 16 in over three decades. Huffines received 45.9% of the vote.[21]

2022 gubernatorial candidacy

Huffines remained politically active after losing his Senate re-election campaign. In July 2021, he was openly critical of Governor Greg Abbott's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically lockdowns, and was the first former elected official to call for the reopening of the state.[22]

On May 10, 2021, Huffines announced that he would challenge Abbott in the 2022 Republican primary for governor of Texas.[23] As a candidate, Huffines campaigned on closing the Texas border with Mexico; exposing voter fraud; eliminating property taxes; and illegalizing abortion.[24] The Don Huffines Campaign had 12 field offices across the state, over 70 people on payroll, and raised over $20 million.[25][26]

In a widely circulated video on Twitter, Huffines accused Abbott of using tax dollars to "promote transgender sexual policies to Texas youth".[27] Huffines criticized the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) website, a state agency overseen by Governor Abbott, pointing out it encourages children to "express their identities."[28] This webpage was taken down within minutes of Huffines' initial video.[29] The Huffines campaign claimed credit for the move.[30]

Huffines is noted for pushing Abbott to the right on a variety of issues including vaccine mandates.[31]

Huffines declined to fire a staffer who had previously worked for conspiracy website InfoWars and who had ties to the white nationalist movement; in a statement, Huffines said that he had over 70 people on payroll and that his campaign would not engage in "cancel culture".[32][26]

On March 1, 2022, Huffines lost the Republican primary, placing third with 12% of the vote against Abbott.[33] In his concession statement, Huffines celebrated "driving the narrative", writing that he forced Governor Abbott to "deliver real conservative victories" on policy such as the Texas Heartbeat Act, Constitutional Carry, and protecting children from "abusive transgender transitioning".[34]

Personal life

Huffines and his wife of 35 years, Mary Catherine, have five children and ten grandchildren.[1]

On February 16, 2026, the Santa Fe New Mexican confirmed through public records that Huffines is the current owner of Zorro Ranch in New Mexico, a property previously owned by child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.[35] Four years after Epstein's death, the Huffines family purchased the property, listed at public auction with proceeds to benefit Epstein's victims;[36] they did so through a limited liability company not widely known to be associated with Huffines.[36][37]

Huffines Liberty Foundation

In June 2022, Huffines launched the Huffines Liberty Foundation. The stated mission of the Huffines Liberty Foundation is to advance the cause of liberty, prosperity, and virtue in the State of Texas by educating citizens so they may hold their elected officials accountable.[8] The Foundation focuses on "common sense liberty principles" of individual rights, fiscal restraint, personal responsibility, limited government, and fiscal conservatism.[8] The think-tank has released over 15 white papers since October 2022.[38]

During the 88th legislative session in 2023, Huffines actively wrote commentary pieces in the Dallas Morning Newsand Houston Chronicle about the Foundation's plan to eliminate property taxes in Texas.[39][40]

In June 2023, Governor Greg Abbott called a special session to eliminate property taxes,[41] a priority of both the Don Huffines Campaign and Huffines Liberty Foundation.[24] Democratic Senator Nathan Johnson, who defeated Huffines in 2018, tweeted a photo of Governor Abbott's special session announcement and wrote "STILL don’t understand how Don Huffines is running state policy. I beat him (5-1/2 years ago)."[42] Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick also credited Huffines for continuing to influence state policy on property tax elimination.[43]

2026 comptroller candidacy

In March 2025, incumbent Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced his intent to resign in order to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.[44] On March 7, 2025, Huffines announced his candidacy for comptroller in the 2026 election. If elected, he said, "I will DOGE Texas by exposing waste, fraud, and abuse in government to increase efficiency and put every penny we save into property tax relief."[4]

In the primary election, his opponents were Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock.[45] Hancock was State Senator from District 9, but he resigned to become acting Comptroller.[46] Governor Greg Abbott had appointed Hancock and endorsed him, but Huffines "swamped the primary with millions of his own wealth, self-funding his way to a dominant [finish]".[47]

References

  1. ^ "LBJ Conversations with Evan Smith: Don Huffines, former Texas State Senator and the Republican nominee for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts". patman.lbj.utexas.edu. Austin, Texas: Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs Patman Center for Civic and Political Engagement. April 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  2. ^ Kera, Elizabeth Myong (11 May 2021). "Who Is Don Huffines? Former State Senator Challenges Gov. Greg Abbott". Houston Public Media. Archived February 5, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  3. ^ "Texas Primary Election Results". The New York Times. March 2022. Archived March 2, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Scherer, Jasper (2025-03-07). "Christi Craddick, Don Huffines announce bids for Texas comptroller after Hegar tapped for A&M chancellor". The Texas Tribune. Archived March 17, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  5. ^ Dyer, Meridith (2026-03-03). "Don Huffines Secures Strong Win in Republican Comptroller Primary". The Texan. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  6. ^ Hethcock, Bill (October 4, 2019). "Building on Inspiration: Q&A with Don Huffines, co-owner of Huffines Communities". BizJournals.com. Archived June 13, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  7. ^ "About". Huffines Enterprises. Archived August 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  8. ^ "About". Huffines Liberty Foundation. Archived March 18, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  9. ^ "Donald Huffines". Ballotpedia. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  10. ^ Shelley Kofler (March 19, 2014). "Don Huffines, Likely Headed To Texas Senate, Supports Term Limits, School Choice, Creationism". keranews.org. Archived October 24, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  11. ^ Rocha, Polo (2015-07-08). "Just One Bill Among Three Freshman Senators". The Texas Tribune. Archived February 13, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
  12. ^ "The 2017 Texas Senate, from Right to Left, by Mark P. Jones". TribTalk. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  13. ^ "Don Huffines". index.texastaxpayers.com. Archived August 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  14. ^ "Don Huffines". ratings.yct.org. Archived August 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  15. ^ "2017 Faith & Family Scorecard". Texas Values Action | The Advocacy Arm of Texas Values. Archived August 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  16. ^ Afiune, Giulia (2017-06-27). "Hey, Texplainer: Do I still have to get my car inspected every year?". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  17. ^ Cheshire, Cary (2017-05-05). "Huffines Passes Bill to End Vehicle Inspections". Texas Scorecard. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  18. ^ "Bill would wreck bond elections" (opinion), San Antonio Express-News, February 26, 2017, p. F2.
  19. ^ Anderson, Erin (2017-03-09). "Huffines: Shut Down 'Rogue Bureaucracy' Dallas County Schools". Texas Scorecard. Archived November 29, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  20. ^ George, David (2019-09-04). "FBI Details Dallas County Bribery Scandal Over School Bus Stop-Arm Cameras". School Transportation News. Archived August 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  21. ^ "Election Returns". Texas Secretary of State. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  22. ^ Wallace, Jeremy (22 July 2021). "Sen. Rand Paul wades into Texas governor's race against Abbott". Houston Chronicle. Hearst Newspapers. Archived July 24, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  23. ^ Svitek, Patrick (2021-05-10). "Republican former state Sen. Don Huffines launches primary challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott". The Texas Tribune. Archived May 10, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  24. ^ "Texas Issues | Don Huffines For Governor". 2022-02-12. Archived February 12, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  25. ^ "Donald Huffines - Texas Candidate". Transparency USA. Archived October 2, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  26. ^ "Texas Candidate For Governor Won't Fire Staffer With White Nationalist Ties". HuffPost. January 19, 2022. Archived January 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  27. ^ "It's offensive to see @GregAbbott_TX use our tax dollars to advocate for transgender ideology. This must end". X (formerly Twitter). Archived October 25, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  28. ^ Waltens, Brandon (2021-08-31). "Texas State Agency 'Celebrates' Transgender Youth, Promotes LGBT Organization". Texas Scorecard. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
  29. ^ "Texas Removed an L.G.B.T.Q. Resource Page After a Candidate Complained (Published 2021)". 2021-10-14. Archived August 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  30. ^ Scherer, Jasper (October 12, 2021). "Prompted by Abbott challenger, Texas agency removes webpage with suicide hotline for LGBTQ youths". The Houston Chronicle. Archived October 15, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  31. ^ Coggins, Jessica Montoya (2021-10-14). "Don Huffines is the most dangerous man in Texas". Texas Signal. Archived June 6, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  32. ^ Hernandez, Emily (January 20, 2022). "Texas GOP gubernatorial candidate says he won't fire staffer tied to white nationalist movement". The Texas Tribune. Archived January 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  33. ^ Svitek, Patrick (2 March 2022). "Greg Abbott, Beto O'Rourke easily win gubernatorial primaries, setting up November race". The Texas Tribune. Archived September 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  34. ^ "Official statement from Don Huffines". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  35. ^ Bates, Clara (February 13, 2026). "Texas businessman running for office owns Epstein's Zorro Ranch in Santa Fe County". Santa Fe New Mexican. Archived February 14, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  36. ^ Serrano, Alejandro (13 February 2026). "Don Huffines’ family bought Epstein's ranch after his death". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  37. ^ Somerlad, Joe (February 16, 2026). "MAGA candidate in Texas is identified as owner of one of Epstein's properties". The Independent. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  38. ^ "Issues". Huffines Liberty Foundation. 2023-08-14. Archived August 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  39. ^ "This is why Texas should eliminate school property taxes". Dallas News. 2023-06-06. Archived August 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  40. ^ Huffines, Don (April 28, 2023). "Huffines: Property tax cuts proposed by House and Senate are Band-Aid solutions". Houston Chronicle. Archived August 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  41. ^ "Governor Abbott Announces Second Special Session Agenda". gov.texas.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  42. ^ "STILL don't understand how Don Huffines is running state policy. I beat him (5-1/2 years ago).". X (formerly Twitter). Archived October 25, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  43. ^ "This plan was put together by a guy who just spent $10 million to get about 8% of the vote to run against Abbott," Patrick says, taking aim at @DonHuffines". X (formerly Twitter). Archived October 25, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  44. ^ Priest, Jessica (2025-03-07). "Glenn Hegar named as Texas A&M System's next leader". The Texas Tribune. Archived October 30, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  45. ^ "GOP candidates for Texas Comptroller Christi Craddick and Don Huffines discuss why they're best for the job - CBS Texas". www.cbsnews.com. 2025-06-29. Archived August 7, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  46. ^ Despart, Zach & Serrano, Alejandro (2025-06-19). "Former Texas state Sen. Kelly Hancock to become acting comptroller, run for permanent job". The Texas Tribune. Archived December 31, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  47. ^ Serrano, Alejandro (6 March 2026). "Don Huffines trounces Abbott ally to win Texas comptroller primary". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 4 April 2026.