Shehla Faizi is running for Texas comptroller as the Green Party candidate in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Asked why she is running, Faizi said in our candidate 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."

Don Huffines (Republican), Sarah Eckhardt (Democratic) and V. Alonzo Echevarria-Garza (Libertarian) are also running for the seat.

Candidate information

Education: "I have a Master's Degree in Strategic Communication, but my best education has been as a wife and mother of two teenage boys," Faizi said in 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! I am fighting for a better future for them and all our kids," 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: "I'm a podcaster, the host of 'I'm A Muslim (And That's Okay!)' My podcast covers family, culture, and politics," Faizi said in our questionnaire.

Faizi said on her campaign website that she worked in advertising and marketing journalism. She also volunteered with the Stein/Ware Green Party presidential campaign in 2024.

On the issues

Revenue estimates and political independence: Asked how she would keep the comptroller's revenue estimates accurate and free of political pressure, Faizi said in our questionnaire: "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. … I pledge to hire only highly qualified economists and subject matter experts."

School vouchers: Asked how she would run the state's education savings account program, Faizi said in our questionnaire: "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, so the argument that vouchers help public school kids is a lie. 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: Asked whether she supports proposals to eliminate or sharply reduce school district property taxes, Faizi said in our questionnaire: "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 what changes she would make to economic development incentives and local government debt reporting, Faizi said in our questionnaire: "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. The Comptroller office's website should be much more user-friendly and accessible. It should have clear infographics and charts on budgets, revenues, spending, and debt. There should be an English and a Spanish version of the website."

Differences from opponents: Faizi said in our questionnaire: "As a Green Party candidate, I proudly refuse to take PAC donations of any kind."

Candidate responses were collected through the Surround Sound News candidate questionnaire process. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words.