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The Dallas Morning News

Hancock right for comptroller

Gov. Greg Abbott’s endorsement of former Sen. Kelly Hancock as our next state comptroller was a wise choice. I’ve known Hancock for over 20 years. He’s a strong conservative, a successful businessman, and a devoted husband and father.

Where other candidates fall short, Hancock works well with his colleagues in the Texas House and Senate. He does his homework and knows the state budget like the back of his hand.

He’ll deliver immediate results just like our last comptroller. We need positive forward-thinking leaders in Austin like Hancock.

John Carona, Dallas

Former member, Texas Senate

Read more at The Dallas Morning News.

Fort Worth Report

By David Montgomery

AUSTIN — Sitting in an Austin high-rise with a spectacular view of the Texas Capitol just behind him, former state Sen. Kelly Hancock left no doubt that his two announced opponents in the Texas comptroller’s race will have a fight on their hands.

“A lot of elected officials don’t like campaigning,” he told the Fort Worth Report during an interview at his downtown campaign headquarters. “I love campaigning. I won’t see all 31 million Texans but I’ll see a lot of them. We’ll go all over the state.”

In a top-level job swap June 19, Hancock was positioned to replace departing state Comptroller Glenn Hegar as acting comptroller after submitting his Senate resignation to Gov. Greg Abbott two days earlier. Now, the 61-year-old Tarrant County Republican is plunging into a 2026 election fight against two previously announced candidates — Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and former state Sen. Don Huffines.

Hancock announced his candidacy the same day Hegar swore him in as chief clerk in the comptroller’s office. He will become acting comptroller July 1 when Hegar, himself a former senator, leaves to become chancellor of Texas A&M University System.

Read more at Fort Worth Report.

KXAN

Republican State Sen Kelly Hancock resigned from the Texas Senate and was hired to be the Chief Clerk at the Texas Comptroller’s office on Thursday.

Houston Chronicle

By Jeremy Wallace

Three statewide primary battles already getting negative.

Texas Republicans are heading into their most competitive GOP primary season for statewide office in over a decade, with hot races for three major statewide battles already turning bitter.

Primary battles for the U.S. Senate, attorney general and state comptroller are already simmering even though the March 2026 elections are still nine months away.

State Comptroller

On Thursday, state Sen. Kelly Hancock resigned from the Legislature and announced he was running to be the next state comptroller. He is hoping to replace current officeholder Glenn Hegar, who is leaving the post to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. It’s the first race for comptroller without an incumbent since 2014.

Read more at Houston Chronicle.

Houston Chronicle

By Jeremy Wallace

The battle over who will implement Gov. Greg Abbott’s private school voucher plan is suddenly becoming one of the hottest battles in Texas GOP politics.

On Thursday, state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, officially resigned his position in the Legislature and announced he would run for Texas Comptroller, a post that will be in charge of developing and administering Abbott’s school voucher program. The office also acts as the state’s chief financial officer in charge of collecting taxes and forecasting the state’s financial condition.

Shortly before announcing his campaign, current State Comptroller Glenn Hegar officially appointed Hancock to be his chief clerk, positioning him to be the acting comptroller when Hegar leaves to become the Texas A&M University System chancellor on July 1. That could give Hancock an edge over other prominent GOP candidates who have been running for the position.

Read more at Houston Chronicle.

Spectrum News 1

By Katharine Finnerty

TEXAS — A North Texas state senator has stepped down from his role to take a senior position at the state comptroller’s office. Afterwards, he announced he was running for state comptroller.

What You Need To Know

• Former Texas Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, was sworn in Thursday as chief clerk to outgoing Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who will leave office at the end of June to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System
• On July 1, Hancock will take over as interim comptroller
• Soon after, Hancock launched his campaign for comptroller, and he quickly received an endorsement from Gov. Greg. Abbott
• The comptroller is state’s chief financial officer and serves a four-year term

Former Texas Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, was sworn in Thursday as chief clerk to outgoing Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who will leave office at the end of June to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.

On July 1, Hancock will take over as interim comptroller.

“This office exists to serve every Texas taxpayer—and that’s a responsibility I take seriously. Comptroller Hegar has set a high bar for excellence in fiscal stewardship, and I’m committed to upholding that standard,” said Hancock in a statement on X.

Read more at Spectrum News 1.

Highlights Hancock’s Impeccable Conservative Credentials

AUSTIN – In Case You Missed It, within minutes of former Senator Hancock launching his formal campaign for Comptroller, Governor Greg Abbott endorsed him for this vital position.

In his statement, Governor Abbott listed several reasons for his endorsement including his strong conservative credentials stating:

“He [Hancock] passed a law to impose a state spending cap. He’s funded border security, cut property taxes, strengthened election integrity, and overhauled ERCOT. He has done more than just talk about cutting red tape; he passed laws that actually do it. He also built a successful family-run business from the ground up.”

In a video highlighting this endorsement, Hancock thanked the Governor for his endorsement and highlighted his impeccable record on border security:

“As the Chairman for the Veterans Affairs and Border Security committee in the Senate I was proud to work alongside Governor Abbott and President Trump to help build the Texas border wall, support Operation Lone Star, and stop illegal immigration.”

To view the video, click here or on the image below:

CBS Austin

State Senator Kelly Hancock of Tarrant County has been officially named the acting state comptroller, following the selection by outgoing Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar.

NBC 5

Hancock resigned as state senator and was appointed to be the chief clerk of the comptroller’s office.

FOX 7 Austin

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar finalized the appointment of former state senator Kelly Hancock as his new Chief Clerk. Comptroller Hegar is leaving the office at the end of June to become the Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.