In a late-breaking move that could reshape two key Republican primary contests in Texas, President Donald Trump has issued his “complete and total endorsement[s]” of Don Huffines for comptroller and Sid Miller for agriculture commissioner — placing him squarely at odds with Greg Abbott’s preferred candidates.
The endorsements came Friday night via Truth Social following Trump’s appearance at an event in Corpus Christi. In two similarly worded posts, Trump praised both Huffines, a former state senator, and Miller, the incumbent agriculture commissioner, highlighting their commitment to border security, veterans, and Second Amendment rights.
The timing of the endorsements is significant. Early voting momentum and campaign narratives are often shaped by late-stage political backing, and Trump’s involvement adds a powerful new dynamic to already competitive races.
A Direct Challenge to Abbott
Trump’s endorsements create a clear split at the top of Texas Republican leadership.
Abbott has thrown his support behind Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock and agriculture commissioner challenger Nate Sheets.
Both candidates have lagged behind their opponents in polling.
The comptroller race carries especially high stakes for Abbott. The office plays a central role in implementing the state’s $1 billion school voucher program — a long-sought policy victory for the governor.
Hancock, a longtime Abbott ally, has benefited from substantial financial backing. According to the latest campaign finance report, $2.6 million from Abbott’s campaign war chest has gone toward advertising supporting Hancock.
Hancock stepped into the acting comptroller role after his predecessor, Glenn Hegar, left the position to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.
Abbott has repeatedly praised Hancock’s leadership during the rollout of the voucher program — underscoring why the governor has invested so heavily in his campaign.
Huffines Gains Momentum
Despite Abbott’s backing of Hancock, Huffines has proven to be a formidable contender.
The former state senator — who previously challenged Abbott in the 2022 gubernatorial primary — has steadily built support from high-profile conservative figures. His endorsements include U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and the late activist Charlie Kirk.
Trump’s endorsement adds another major name to that list and could further solidify Huffines’ standing with conservative primary voters.
Agriculture Commissioner Race Heats Up
Abbott has also taken the unusual step of backing a challenger against a sitting Republican incumbent.
In endorsing Sheets, an agriculture businessman and first-time political candidate, Abbott sharply criticized Miller’s tenure, describing it as an “utter failure.”
Miller’s time in office has been marked by controversy, yet he remains a strong political survivor. His alignment with Trump — now reinforced by the former president’s endorsement — may help blunt Abbott’s criticism among Republican voters who prioritize loyalty to Trump’s political movement.
Polling vs. Power
So far, Abbott’s influence has not translated into clear polling dominance.
Both Huffines and Miller have maintained comfortable leads over Hancock and Sheets respectively, even as Abbott has actively campaigned alongside his preferred candidates.
The governor has appeared with both Hancock and Sheets on the trail, promoting their campaigns and tying their potential victories to his broader policy agenda.
Trump’s intervention now raises the stakes further — turning what were already competitive primaries into high-profile tests of influence between two of the Republican Party’s most powerful figures.
What Comes Next
With early voting approaching and campaign messaging intensifying, the endorsements could energize grassroots conservatives and reshape turnout dynamics.
At issue is more than just two statewide offices. The results will offer a clear signal about whether Texas Republican voters align more closely with Abbott’s governing agenda or Trump’s political brand.
