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Texas Governor Appoints Former Hard Right Critic to Key Post
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed Don Huffines, a former political rival and immigration hard-liner, as state comptroller in a move to unify the Republican Party by embracing its hard right faction.
- Huffines, a former state senator and Dallas-area real estate magnate, had challenged Abbott in the 2022 gubernatorial primary, criticizing him for not being conservative enough.
- Huffines is the Republican nominee for comptroller, having defeated acting comptroller Kelly Hancock, whom Abbott had endorsed; Hancock will step down at the end of the month.
- The comptroller's office, which manages public accounts, has gained political significance due to Abbott’s controversial program providing public funds for private school vouchers, a policy opposed by Democrats and some rural Republicans.
