{{Short description|American politician (born 1945)}} {{rewrite lead|date=December 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Susan Combs |image = Susan Combs by Gage Skidmore.jpg |caption = Combs in 2013 |office1 = Assistant Secretary of the Interior (Policy, Management, and Budget) |president1 = Donald Trump |term_start1 = June 5, 2019 |term_end1 = April 25, 2020 |predecessor1 = |successor1 = |office2 = 37th Comptroller of Texas |governor2 = Rick Perry |term_start2 = January 1, 2007 |term_end2 = January 1, 2015 |predecessor2 = Carole Keeton |successor2 = Glenn Hegar |office3 = 10th Agriculture Commissioner of Texas |governor3 = George W. Bush<br/>Rick Perry |term_start3 = January 5, 1999 |term_end3 = January 1, 2007 |predecessor3 = Rick Perry |successor3 = Todd Staples |state_house4 = Texas |district4 = 47th |term_start4 = January 12, 1993 |term_end4 = January 26, 1996 |predecessor4 = Libby Linebarger |successor4 = Patty Keel |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1945|02|26}} |birth_place = San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = Republican |spouse = Joe Duran |children = 3 |education = Vassar College (AB)<br/>University of Texas at Austin (JD) |website = [https://identity.utexas.edu/susan-combs Official website] }} '''Susan Combs''' (born February 26, 1945)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congress.org/bio/id/129176 |title=Susan Combs |publisher=congress.org |access-date=November 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306051802/http://www.congress.org/bio/id/129176 |archive-date=March 6, 2012 }}</ref> is an American politician, having served elected office in Texas and as the assistant secretary of policy, management and budget at the U.S. Department of the Interior under President Donald Trump.
A Republican, Combs served from 2007 to 2015 as the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Prior to her tenure as comptroller, Combs had served two terms as commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture from 1999 to 2007, taking the reins as the first woman elected to that office in 1998. Combs also served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/scbio.html |title=Welcome to the New Comptroller.Texas.Gov |website=Window.state.tx.us |access-date=2016-12-07 |archive-date=2014-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117031111/http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/scbio.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Early life and family == Combs was born in San Antonio. She grew up in a ranching family in West Texas. She runs a cow-calf operation on her family's ranch in Brewster County; the ranch has been in her family since the turn of the 20th century. She lives in Austin with her husband, Joe W. Duran, a computer scientist. She is the mother of three sons.<ref name="TribBio"/> Combs graduated from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York,<ref name="TribBio"/> majoring in French and religion. She worked in international advertising in New York City, in the financial markets on Wall Street, and for the U.S. government before returning to Texas to obtain credentials from the University of Texas Law School at Austin.<ref name="TribBio"/> After graduation from law school, she served as an assistant district attorney in Dallas, Texas.
== Political career == Combs' first electoral outing was for the 47th legislative district, in Travis County. She won the Republican runoff election by seven votes over intraparty challenger Bill Welch. Combs polled 2,279 votes (50.07 percent) to Welch's 2,272 (49.92 percent). The two had led a five-candidate field in the primary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe|title=Texas Republican runoff election, April 14, 1992|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|access-date=December 15, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe|archive-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref> In the general election, Combs handily defeated the Democrat Jimmy Day, 45,355 (65.4 percent) to 23,987 (34.6 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe|title=Texas general election returns, November 3, 1992|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|access-date=December 15, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe|archive-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref> Combs served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives from 1993 and 1996, resigning midway in her second term to join the staff of U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison as the lawmaker's state director. She was succeeded by fellow Republican Patty Keel of Austin.
===Texas agriculture commissioner=== Combs served as the Texas agriculture commissioner from 1999 to 2007, being the first woman to serve in the position.<ref name="TribBio">{{cite news | title=Susan Combs | url=https://www.texastribune.org/directory/susan-combs/#ui-tabs-1 | work=The Texas Tribune | access-date=December 7, 2016 | archive-date=October 9, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009170350/https://www.texastribune.org/directory/susan-combs/#ui-tabs-1 | url-status=dead }}</ref> She succeeded Rick Perry as commissioner, who was instead elected as lieutenant governor.
As agriculture commissioner, Combs worked with the Environmental Defense Fund to protect the golden-cheeked warbler.<ref name="edf.org">{{Cite web|title=Operation warbler: How Fort Hood and local ranchers teamed up to save a bird|url=https://www.edf.org/blog/2015/07/15/operation-warbler-how-fort-hood-and-local-ranchers-teamed-save-bird|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Environmental Defense Fund}}</ref> In partnership with Combs and the Texas Department of Agriculture and a coalition of other organizations, Environmental Defense Fund coordinated the development of a market-based credit exchange.<ref name="edf.org"/> It allowed Fort Hood to quickly obtain offsets from nearby landowners to counteract losses from live-fire training activities and troop movement through core habitat areas.
===Texas comptroller of public accounts=== Combs was elected as Texas comptroller of public accounts to succeed Carole Strayhorn. Combs served as comptroller from 2007 to 2015. In 2010, Combs was unopposed for a second term as comptroller in the Republican primary, and she faced no Democratic opponent in the November 2 general election. Unsuccessful nominees of the Green and Libertarian parties did seek the position. Combs did not seek reelection to a third term as comptroller or any other statewide office in the 2014 elections.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/13589/susan-combs-to-retire-2014-dominoes-to-fall-without-rick-perry-decision |title=Susan Combs to Retire; 2014 Dominoes to Fall Without Rick Perry Decision |publisher=Burnt Orange Report |date=May 30, 2013 |access-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220072849/http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/13589/susan-combs-to-retire-2014-dominoes-to-fall-without-rick-perry-decision |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2015, Combs endorsed Carly Fiorina for president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2015/09/28/fiorina-allies-announce-texas-leadership-team/|title=Fiorina Allies Announce Texas Leadership Team|last=Svitek|first=Patrick|date=2015-09-28|work=The Texas Tribune|access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref>
===Assistant secretary of the interior=== On July 10, 2017, U.S. president Donald Trump nominated Combs to be the assistant secretary for policy, management, and budget at the United States Department of the Interior.<ref>Svitek, Patrick. [https://www.texastribune.org/2017/07/10/trump-nominate-combs-interior-department-job/ Trump to nominate former comptroller Combs for Interior Department job], ''Texas Tribune,'' Austin, Texas July 10, 2017.</ref> Earlier in the year, Trump had considered naming Combs to be the secretary of agriculture, a position which went instead to Sonny Perdue, a former governor of Georgia.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 11, 2017|title=Trump picks former Texas Ag Commissioner for Interior post|newspaper=Laredo Morning Times|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/about/article/Trump-picks-former-Texas-Ag-Commissioner-for-11279977.php?ipid=hptexas|access-date=July 12, 2017}}</ref> Her nomination to be the assistant secretary for policy, management, and budget was approved on a party-line vote in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. However, the full Senate did not take up her nomination and sent it back to the White House at the end of 2017. In 2018, the Trump administration re-nominated Combs to the same position. More than 70 conservation organizations sent a letter to the Senate opposing her nomination. She was confirmed by the United States Senate with a vote of 57–36 on June 5, 2019.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Stephen|date=June 5, 2019|title=Former Texas Comptroller Wins Senate OK for Interior Post (1)|publisher=Bloomberg Environment|url=https://news.bloombergenvironment.com/environment-and-energy/former-texas-comptroller-wins-senate-ok-for-top-interior-post|access-date=June 5, 2019}}</ref><ref name="doi.gov">{{Cite web|date=2019-06-05|title=U.S. Senate Confirms Susan Combs as Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Interior with Bipartisan Support|url=https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/us-senate-confirms-susan-combs-assistant-secretary-department-interior-bipartisan|access-date=2019-06-26|website=www.doi.gov}}</ref><ref>https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2019/06/05/susan-combs-confirmed-for-top-interior-department-post-after-two-year-wait/4978919007/</ref> On April 13, 2020, Combs submitted her resignation, which went into effect on April 25, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 13, 2020|title=Susan Combs leaves Interior Department post|url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20200413/susan-combs-leaves-interior-department-post}}</ref>
==Other activities== Combs served on the boards of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association in Fort Worth and the Texas Wildlife Association. She has also served on the boards of the Texas Beef Council and the Texas Production Credit Association.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenbeam.com/features/they021599.stm |title=They say -- Susan Combs |access-date=December 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705034327/http://www.greenbeam.com/features/they021599.stm |archive-date=July 5, 2008 }}</ref>
After leaving state politics in 2015, Combs launched the Texas Smart Schools Initiative, intended for parents and officials as a data-driven approach to show which public schools and districts are achieving the highest student performance for the lowest cost.<ref name="Funds">{{cite web|last=Zelinski |first=Andrea |url=https://www.chron.com/news/politics/texas/article/Former-comptroller-funds-new-tool-to-grade-schools-7944902.php |title=Former Texas comptroller funds new tool to grade schools - Houston Chronicle |website=Chron.com |date=2016-05-25 |access-date=2016-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.TXSmartSchools.org |title=Home |website=TXSmartSchools.org |access-date=2016-12-07}}</ref> The material, arranged on a five-star scale, was made available without charge.<ref name=tribune>{{cite news|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/25/combs-tapping-leftover-campaign-cash-womens-projec/ |title=Combs Taps Leftover Campaign Cash For Women's Project |newspaper=The Texas Tribune |date=2016-04-25 |access-date=2016-12-07}}</ref> It is funded from her leftover campaign contributions.<ref name="Funds"/> "Public education is one of the largest items in the state budget; so Texans need to know where their dollars are getting the highest return in terms of student performance," Combs said.<ref>Andrew, Zelinski, "Combs helps fund school rating website", ''San Antonio Express-News'', May 27, 2016, p. A3</ref> Also with leftover campaign cash, Combs formed a 501(c)(4) nonprofit called the Anywhere Woman Project, an online platform aiming to help women ask questions and exchange ideas.<ref name=tribune/>
In 2016, Combs launched "HERdacity" a "nonprofit online platform and mobile app" intended to "give women with shared interests and career ambitions a forum to exchange ideas and offer each other support."<ref name="NextAct">{{cite news | last1=Lutz | first1=Elena Mejia | title=Susan Combs' Next Act? Empowering Texas Women | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2016/11/27/combs-strives-build-path-womens-self-empowerment/ | date=November 27, 2016 | work=The Texas Tribune | access-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref> HERdacity's goal is to help women have the "audacity" to seek their own paths. In addition, she wrote a memoir entitled ''Texas Tenacity''.<ref name="NextAct"/>
As a member of the Texas House of Representatives in the 1990s, Combs championed legislation prohibiting state wildlife officials from gathering endangered species data from private lands without permission, according to the Austin Chronicle. It also sought to restrict the state from sharing endangered species data with the Fish and Wildlife Service.{{cn|date=July 2025}}
In August 2019, the Women's Suffrage Celebration Commission elevated Combs to chairwoman. Prior to that, Combs was a Commission member, appointed to that position in December 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.womensvote100.org/news|title=News|website=Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission|access-date=2019-10-24|archive-date=2020-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201145959/https://www.womensvote100.org/news|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Awards == At the December 2, 2014, meeting of the Texas Interagency Task Force on Economic Growth and Endangered Species, Dr. Benjamin Tuggle presented Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller and Chair of the Task Force, with a plaque in recognition of her efforts to promote conservation in the State of Texas and the Southwest Region.<ref name="Service">{{Cite web|last=Service|first=U. S. Fish and Wildlife|title=Service Honors Texas Comptroller for Her Contributions to Conservation|url=https://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ref=service-honors-texas-comptroller-for-her-contributions-to-conservation&_ID=34775|access-date=2021-11-11|website=www.fws.gov}}</ref> Dr. Tuggle thanked the Comptroller for her dedication and commitment to expanding species research efforts and supporting on the ground conservation efforts in the State of Texas.<ref name="Service"/> He praised the Comptroller for her ability to bring together diverse stakeholder groups to tackle difficult conservation issues for a number of species including the dunes sagebrush lizard, the lesser prairie-chicken and the golden-cheeked warbler.<ref name="Service"/> Her willingness to work with the Fish and Wildlife Service on challenging issues benefited both the wildlife in Texas as well as the State's landowners and economy.<ref name="Service"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * {{official|https://www.susancombs.com}} * [https://www.texastribune.org/directory/susan-combs/ Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009170350/https://www.texastribune.org/directory/susan-combs/ |date=2018-10-09 }} at ''The Texas Tribune'' * [https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/15374/susan-combs#.WEjRRmwzVPY Profile] at Project Vote Smart * [https://ballotpedia.org/Susan_Combs Profile] at Ballotpedia * [http://www.window.state.tx.us/ Window on State Government]
{{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=Rick Perry}} {{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Agriculture Commissioner of Texas|years=1998, 2002}} {{s-aft|after=Todd Staples}} {{s-bef|before=Carole Keeton Strayhorn}} {{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts|years=2006, 2010}} {{s-aft|after=Glenn Hegar}} {{s-par|us-tx-hs}} {{s-bef|before=Libby Linebarger}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Texas House of Representatives<br/>from the 47th district|years=1993–1996}} {{s-aft|after=Patty Keel}} |- {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Rick Perry}} {{s-ttl|title=Agriculture Commissioner of Texas|years=1999–2007}} {{s-aft|after=Todd Staples}} |- {{s-bef|before=Carole Keeton}} {{s-ttl|title=Comptroller of Texas|years=2007–2015}} {{s-aft|after=Glenn Hegar}} |- {{s-bef|before=???}} {{s-ttl|title=Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior|years=2019–present}} {{s-aft|after=???}} {{s-end}}
{{Agriculture Commissioners of Texas}} {{Texas Women's Hall of Fame}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Combs, Susan}} Category:1945 births Category:21st-century American women civil servants Category:Agriculture commissioners of Texas Category:Comptrollers of Texas Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Austin, Texas Category:People from Brewster County, Texas Category:Politicians from San Antonio Category:Politicians from Dallas Category:Politicians from New York City Category:Ranchers from Texas Category:Republican Party members of the Texas House of Representatives Category:Texas lawyers Category:First Trump administration personnel Category:United States assistant secretaries of the interior Category:University of Texas School of Law alumni Category:Vassar College alumni Category:Women state legislators in Texas Category:20th-century members of the Texas Legislature Category:20th-century American women politicians