State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran has conceded the Texas state comptroller's race to Glenn Hegar, clearing the way for him to accept the nomination.
Hilderbran's decision announced Friday means Hegar is now favored to become the state's chief financial officer. Hegar was just a few votes shy of winning more than 50 percent of the vote, and barring a victory from absentee and provisional ballots, would have faced Hilderbran in a runoff.
Republican Comptroller Susan Combs didn't seek re-election. She had drawn criticism for revenue projections that underestimated state spending power, which exacerbated cutbacks at schools and state agencies.
The 43-year-old Hegar is the youngest member of the Senate. He's a farmer from suburban Houston.
His Democratic opponent in November is Houston businessman Mike Collier, who's never held elected office.
