Ep. 35 (video): Sarah Eckhardt on the Comptroller Race, One-Party Rule, and How the GOP Is Gutting Y

Texas State Senator Sarah Eckhardt joins Kate to break down the race for Texas Comptroller — one of the most powerful offices in state government that almost nobody's talking about. Eckhardt, the Democratic nominee, faces Don Huffines, the multimillionaire who purchased the Epstein Ranch and is promising to gut public education and "DOGE" state government. Kate and Senator Eckhardt make the case for why this race could determine the future of Texas. Plus: Senator Eckhardt heads to an LGBTQ-founded food bank in Amarillo after the interview — a community effort that's grown into a lifeline for Panhandle families struggling with the rising cost of living.  We cover:  Why the Texas Comptroller is the most powerful office you've never heard of — and why it matters who holds it The case against Don Huffines: the Epstein Ranch, a history of buying seats, and a plan to weaponize the comptroller's office Public education as the greatest engine of prosperity ever created — and what vouchers are really doing to Texas schools What Eckhardt would actually do as Comptroller: transparent voucher audits, economic impact reporting, raising the basic allotment, and indexing it to inflation Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation — including double-digit uninsured rates for children — and what Medicaid non-expansion is actually costing insured Texans No-bid state contracts up fourfold since 2019, TEA takeovers funneling schools to private contractors, and the normalization of corruption The "don't California my Texas" myth — and the actual numbers Amarillo staring down the world's largest data center next door while 17 of 26 Panhandle counties are maternity deserts Why 2026 could outperform 2018 — and what grassroots organizing can do that MAGA millions can't buy Last Word: if you don't do politics, politics will do you Support Senator Eckhardt: SarahEckhardt.com [http://saraheckhardttx.com/] | Volunteer, donate, and follow @SarahEckhardtTX Support the show: Love what we're doing? Become a member at patreon.com/missiontexaspodcast — just a few dollars a month keeps independent Texas media alive. And if you can't spare the cash, a five-star review goes just as far. God bless Texas. 🤠 00:00 Introduction to Texas Comptroller Race 00:25 Sarah Eckhart's Career and Public Service 01:10 Role and Independence of the Comptroller's Office 02:23 Public Education and Criticism of Opponent's Plans 03:58 Background and Financial Governance Experience 05:24 Defense of Public Education's Importance 08:09 GOP Control and Impact on Texas Education 11:16 Controversial Policies and Community Impact 14:17 Dangers of One-Party Rule in Texas 18:08 Voucher System and Comptroller Plans 22:19 Inefficiencies in Education Funding 26:39 Corruption and Accountability in Texas Government 31:17 Healthcare and Economic Challenges 37:18 Effects of Privatization on Public Services 41:52 Grassroots Movements vs. Wealthy Donors 46:12 Campaign Strategies and Democratic Efforts in Texas 50:58 Community Engagement and Volunteerism