Shehla Faizi is running for Texas comptroller as the Green Party candidate in the Nov. 3 general election. She faces Don Huffines (Republican), Sarah Eckhardt (Democratic) and V. Alonzo Echevarria-Garza (Libertarian).

Asked why she is running, Faizi said in our questionnaire: "I'm a Texas mom fed up with big money donors controlling our government and harming our public schools. Both my Democratic and Republican opponents accept billionaire-funded PAC donations and corporate PAC donations, including from industries that do business at the Comptroller's office. I take no PAC donations or lobbyist donations of any kind."

Candidate information

Party: Green

Education: Faizi said she holds "a Master's Degree in Strategic Communication," according to our questionnaire. She also holds a bachelor's degree in graphic design, according to her campaign website.

Family: "I'm a daughter, sister, wife, and mother of two boys. My children are the reason I entered politics!" Faizi said in our questionnaire.

Previous office: "This is my first time running for office, I am not a career politician nor a big political donor," Faizi said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Occupation: Faizi said in our questionnaire: "I'm a podcaster, the host of 'I'm A Muslim (And That's Okay!)' My podcast covers family, culture, and politics."

According to her campaign website, Faizi worked in advertising and marketing journalism after completing her bachelor's degree. She volunteered with the Stein/Ware Green Party presidential campaign in 2024, according to the same site.

On the issues

Differences from opponents: Asked about critical differences between herself and other candidates, Faizi said in our questionnaire: "My Republican opponent used wealth from his family's car dealership to become an influential political donor, and then eventually self-funded the start of his own political career. He takes tons of PAC money, including over $3.6 million from Defend Texas Liberty PAC, funded mainly by oil billionaires Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks. … He bought Jeffrey Epstein's New Mexico Ranch."

She added: "My Democratic opponent takes corporate PAC donations from industries like construction and consulting, which have business with the Comptroller's office. She has taken over $16,000 from the pro-gambling Texas Sands PAC, funded by Republican megadonor casino billionaire Miriam Adelson. As a Green Party candidate, I proudly refuse to take PAC donations of any kind."

Revenue estimates and political independence: Asked how she would keep the comptroller's revenue estimates accurate and free of political pressure, Faizi said: "By refusing to fundraise from corporate PACs or billionaire-funded PACs, and by refusing to engage in politics as usual, I would be a truly independent Comptroller. Neutral technical experts, not political insiders, should run the Comptroller's office and work on revenue estimates."

School vouchers: Asked about the state's education savings account program, Faizi said: "The school voucher scam drains money from our public schools and gives handouts to private schools and education vendors. A study of the first round of voucher funding said 70% went to students who were already in private school … As Comptroller I would use all legal means and public pressure to end school vouchers and focus on equitable funding for our public schools."

Property taxes and school funding: Faizi said: "Property taxes are not the best way to fund school districts. But raising tax money in new ways is politically difficult. Those who want to eliminate school district property taxes should find new sustainable revenue streams to fill that gap first, not cut taxes and hope to find new revenue later."

Economic development and transparency: Asked about changes to state economic development incentives, Faizi said: "Our economic development incentives must be depoliticized and reimagined to benefit Texans, not big donors. For example, we must end the 100% sales tax exemption for Data Centers, which costs the state more than $1 billion per year."

She added that the comptroller's website "should have clear infographics and charts on budgets, revenues, spending, and debt. There should be an English and a Spanish version of the website."

Responses were collected through a Rockwall Herald candidate questionnaire. Answers have been edited for length but not substance. All policy positions and claims about opponents are the candidate's own.