Gov. Greg Abbott endorses former North Texas senator Kelly Hancock for state comptroller
By Nolan D. McCaskill
AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed former state Sen. Kelly Hancock’s bid for Texas comptroller shortly after the ex-lawmaker from North Texas announced his candidacy Thursday.
Hancock, a Republican from North Richland Hills, was sworn in Thursday morning as chief clerk of the comptroller’s office. The comptroller functions as the state’s chief financial officer.
Hancock, who resigned from the Legislature on Wednesday, also launched a campaign for state comptroller Thursday morning. He joins Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and former state Sen. Don Huffines, R-Dallas, as candidates to succeed Glenn Hegar.
The primary is March 3. If no candidate wins more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters would go to a May 26 runoff. The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
“The new comptroller has the daunting task to implement the largest day-one school choice program in America,” Abbott said in a statement. “From serving as a school board member to voting — repeatedly — to pass school choice, Kelly knows far more about the school choice law than other candidates.”
Hancock will take over Hegar’s duties at the comptroller’s office beginning July 1. Hegar is leaving the agency to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.
Read more at The Dallas Morning News.
