Austin, Texas — Kelly Hancock’s decision to leave the Texas Senate to run for state comptroller has set off a wave of political changes across the state.
Hancock announced on June 19 that he would step down from his position in the state legislature to take up a new appointment as chief clerk in the comptroller’s office.
The Shifting Political Landscape
The current Texas comptroller, Glenn Hegar, was appointed as the new chancellor of the Texas A&M system, and he is expected to begin his role on July 1. As a result, Hancock will serve as the interim comptroller to finish Hegar’s unexpired term.
In his announcement, Hancock, a former state senator from North Richland Hills, expressed his intention to run for the comptroller’s office in 2026.
The news quickly garnered the support of Gov. Greg Abbott, who endorsed Hancock for the position. However, Hancock’s path to the comptroller’s office will not be without competition.
He will face at least two other conservative Republicans in the 2026 primary: Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and former State Senator Don Huffines.
The Senate Seat Shake-Up
With Hancock’s departure, his District 9 Tarrant County Senate seat has now opened, and this has created another political vacuum.
Texas State Representative Nate Schatzline, R-Dist. 93, has announced that he will not run for reelection to the Texas House and instead will run for Hancock’s former Senate seat.
This move has prompted Northwest ISD Trustee Steve Sprowls to express interest in running for Schatzline’s House seat.
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Governor Calls Special Election
On Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott officially called a special election to fill Hancock’s vacant Senate seat.
The special election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2024. Voters in Harris County will also cast ballots that day in a special election to fill the U.S. House District 18 seat, which was left vacant following the death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner. Independent Reyna Anderson is running against Democrat Feldon Bonner II in that race.
Candidates who wish to run in either special election must file their applications with the Texas Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on September 3, 2024.
Election Timeline
For the November elections, early voting will begin on Monday, Oct. 20, 2024, and end on Friday, Oct. 31, 2024.
Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2024. Looking ahead to the comptroller’s race, the Republican primary will take place on March 3, 2026, and the general election will follow on Nov. 3, 2026.
What do you think about the political changes happening in Texas? Who do you think will fill the Senate and comptroller seats in the upcoming elections?
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