This material was originally published by Reform Austin.

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After a decade of entrenched incumbents, Texas politics is showing signs of new competition. While Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are moving forward with reelection bids, the excitement lies further down the ballot. Openings in key offices and unexpected challenges have created three suddenly competitive statewide races.

Agriculture Commissioner

As reported by the Houston Chronicle , the race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner has unexpectedly become competitive. Incumbent Sid Miller, first elected in 2014, faces a GOP primary challenge from Nathan Sheets, a Navy veteran and former honey-company founder.

Sheets has already secured endorsements from conservative figures like Rick Santorum, Kelly Shackelford, and State Sen. Angela Paxton. He has also loaned his campaign $250,000, giving him over $400,000 on hand, while Miller reportedly had around $80,000.  

Miller, for his part, leans on name recognition, Trump endorsement, and past successes against challengers. He said to the Houston Chronicle , “Texas is littered with the political bodies of my previous opponents.”

In the general election, Democratic challenger Clayton Tucker, a rural rancher, promises to center small farmers and push back on corporate agriculture influence.  

Attorney General

Attorney General Ken Paxton’s decision to run for U.S. Senate has left the top law enforcement office in Texas wide open. On the Republican side , the contest includes State Senators Joan Huffman and Mayes Middleton, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, and former Assistant Attorney General Aaron Reitz. 

Fundraising has already become a defining feature. Reitz raised over $2 million in his early weeks; Middleton poured in $10 million of his own money to launch his campaign, according to The Texas Tribune . Huffman, meanwhile, has leaned on her legislative and Houston base.

Democrats Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski are competing for their party’s nomination. This is the first open AG primary in nearly a decade, and the outcome could shift which faction of the GOP controls the state’s legal agenda.

State Comptroller

The departure of long‑time Comptroller Glenn Hegar to lead the Texas A&M University System created a new opening. Gov. Abbott tapped state Sen. Kelly Hancock as interim comptroller, and he has since entered the race for a full term, as stated by The Texas Tribune . 

He faces competition from Christi Craddick, a member of the Texas Railroad Commission, and former State Sen. Don Huffines. Fundraising reports highlight contrasts: Craddick outraised Hancock by about $1.5 million, while Huffines’ early haul included a large personal loan.

The comptroller’s office is gaining increased public importance, especially after new legislative expansions that give it oversight of a new $1 billion school voucher program.