In the Press

Today, the Houston Region Business Coalition (HRBC) endorsed Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock for Texas Comptroller.

“As Houston’s premier business coalition, we support candidates with a proven record of strengthening Texas’ economy,” said Alan Hassenflu, Chairman of HRBC. “Kelly Hancock is the clear choice to continue serving as Texas Comptroller. During his time in the Legislature, Kelly helped build one of the strongest pro-business climates in the nation through his leadership on the Business and Commerce Committee. As Comptroller, he has continued that record by safeguarding taxpayer dollars and ensuring Texas remains the best economy in the world.”

“I’m honored to earn the support of Houston’s business leadership,” said Kelly Hancock. “Houston is the largest city in Texas and a global hub for energy, trade, and innovation. The strength of our state economy starts with regions like Houston that create jobs, attract capital, and compete on the world stage. As Comptroller, my focus is on protecting taxpayers, keeping Texas fiscally strong, and ensuring government operates at the speed of business.”

The Houston Region Business Coalition is known as Houston’s premier business coalition and supports public policies, elected officials, and candidates who promote limited government, free-market capitalism, and private property rights.

Today, the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA) endorsed Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock for Texas Comptroller.

“We need a Comptroller who believes in law and order first,” said Kevin Lawrence, Executive Director of TMPA. “We are proud to back Kelly Hancock for Comptroller. He has always supported the tens of thousands of men and women in law enforcement across Texas. As a legislator, Kelly was a steadfast supporter of law enforcement, Operation Lone Star, and other efforts to keep Texas safe.”

“The success of Texas depends on the safety of our communities,” said Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. “There is no more fundamental role of government than upholding the rule of law. Public safety has always been my top priority – whether as a legislator or as Comptroller. I’ve always stood with law enforcement, and I’m proud to now administer grants that help rural communities and sheriffs enforce the law.”

TMPA is the Voice of Texas Law Enforcement. Since 1950, TMPA has been defending the rights and interests of Texas Peace Officers by providing the best legal assistance in the country, effective lobbying at state and local levels, affordable training, and exemplary member support. As the largest law enforcement association in Texas, TMPA is proud to represent 33,500 local, county and state law enforcement officers.

Today, top Republican leaders from Tarrant County announced their endorsement of Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock for Texas Comptroller, joining Greg Abbott and a growing statewide coalition of conservative, business, and law enforcement leaders.

Hancock previously represented parts of Tarrant County in the Texas Legislature for decades, where he built a record of delivering conservative results for taxpayers, families, and employers across North Texas and the state.

The endorsing leaders include:

• Sheriff Bill Waybourn
• District Attorney Phil Sorrels
• Tax Assessor-Collector Rick Barnes
• County Clerk Mary Louise Nicholson
• District Clerk Tom Wilder
• Commissioner (Precinct 3) Matt Krause
• Commissioner (Precinct 4) Manny Ramirez

“I’m grateful for the support of Tarrant County’s conservative leadership,” said Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. “Tarrant County helped lead Texas for decades, and its return to solid Republican leadership proves voters want results — not rhetoric. That’s exactly how I’m serving as Comptroller: securing the border, launching Texas Education Freedom Accounts, ending DEI in government contracting, and operating at the speed of business to protect taxpayers. I’m focused on keeping Texas the best place in America to work, raise a family, and grow a business.”

Today, the Beer Alliance of Texas PAC endorsed Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock for Texas Comptroller.

“Kelly Hancock is a proven business leader who understands how to keep the Texas economy growing,” said Rick Donley, President of the Beer Alliance of Texas. “During his time in the Legislature, we worked closely with Kelly to advance commonsense, pro-business policies that respected Texas’ modern, transparent three-tier system while allowing responsible innovation to thrive. The Beer Alliance of Texas is proud to endorse Kelly Hancock to continue serving as Texas Comptroller and to keep Texas’ beverage industry strong, responsible, and prosperous for generations to come.”

“The beer industry is a major economic engine for our state — employing more than 17,000 Texans and generating over $30 billion in annual economic output across manufacturing, distribution, and retail,” said Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. “As Comptroller, I’m committed to keeping Texas the best place in the nation to do business by supporting responsible regulation, protecting jobs, and ensuring industries like Texas beer can continue to grow and thrive.”

The Beer Alliance of Texas is a member of the National Beer Wholesalers Association and is dedicated to ensuring the safe distribution of alcohol throughout Texas.

Today, the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) AGFUND endorsed Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock for Texas Comptroller.

“Kelly Hancock understands the issues facing agriculture and rural Texas,” said Russell Boening, President of the TFB AGFUND. “From protecting private property rights and opposing burdensome taxes, to safeguarding water access, strengthening right-to-farm protections, and standing against foreign ownership of Texas agricultural land, Kelly has consistently demonstrated a clear grasp of what producers need to succeed. His commitment to limited government, fiscal responsibility, and respect for landowners helps ensure a bright future for Texas agriculture and the providers of food and fiber who sustain our state for generations to come. We’re proud to endorse Kelly as our next Texas Comptroller.”

“I’m honored to earn the support of the voice of Texas agriculture,” said Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. “As Comptroller, I’ll continue fighting to keep taxes low and ensure government stays out of the way so farmers and ranchers can continue the work they do best. I’m proud to stand with the Texas Farm Bureau and will always fight to keep agriculture strong, independent, and Texas-owned.”

The TFB is the Voice of Texas Agriculture, representing more than 500,000 member families statewide. Its AGFUND serves as the political voice of those members, advocating for farmers and ranchers at every level of government.

Today, the Texas Retailers Association (TRA) endorsed Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock for Texas Comptroller.

“We’re supporting Kelly Hancock for Texas Comptroller because he understands better than anyone how to keep the Texas economy growing for retailers, employees, and communities around the state,” said John McCord, Executive Director of TRA. “Texas retailers are the state’s largest employer by industry, supporting nearly 30% of all jobs. We need a Comptroller with the business, policy, and legislative experience to continue that growth — and Kelly Hancock is the one best prepared to do it. Kelly has been a strong supporter of the retail industry and its employees during his time in the Legislature and we look forward to supporting him in his new role.”

“Retail is the foundation of the Texas economy,” said Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. “State sales tax collections from retail activity compose most of our state revenue. Those dollars fund our schools, public safety, and other essential state services. These collections also serve as a key indicator of our economic health, and recent growth continues to point to a strong, resilient Texas economy. As Comptroller, I’ll continue making sure this industry can grow, hire, and keep Texas prosperous for generations to come.”

The Texas Retailers Association is an association of global, national, state, and local retail businesses dedicated to improving the lives of the consumers who power the Texas economic engine. We support industry through government advocacy and educational programs.

Today, the Texas Travel Alliance (TTA) endorsed Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock for Texas Comptroller.

“Kelly Hancock has a proven record of fiscal responsibility and transparency that aligns with the values of our industry,” said Erika Boyd, President and CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance. “As Comptroller, his leadership will ensure continued sound financial stewardship of the resources that sustain Texas’ economic growth. He understands the importance of maintaining a strong fiscal foundation for Texas, and his commitment to efficiency and accountability will help protect the resources that allow our industry – and our state – to thrive.”

“Travel connects Texans with every corner of our beautiful state, and brings millions of visitors here to experience what makes Texas special,” said Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. “This industry supports small businesses, fuels local economies, and employs more than a million Texans. As Comptroller, I’m committed to maintaining the strong fiscal foundation and predictable business climate the travel industry needs to thrive.”

The Texas Travel Alliance is the primary advocate and voice for the Texas travel industry, representing a diverse membership of Texas travel destinations, accommodations, attractions, transportation, and support businesses. The travel industry in Texas employs over 1.3 million Texans and has a $199.5 billion-dollar economic impact on the Texas economy. The Texas Travel Alliance strives to offer its members and their employees industry-leading education and professional development while advocating to strengthen travel in Texas.

Today, the Texas Trucking Association (TXTA) endorsed Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock for Texas Comptroller.

“Texas needs a Comptroller who understands what keeps our economy moving,” said John D. Esparza, President and CEO of the Texas Trucking Association. “Kelly Hancock is the clear choice. In the Legislature, he consistently backed policies that strengthened a safe, dependable, and efficient transportation system. He also brings the perspective of a successful businessman who understands how stability, sound oversight, and efficient operations impact employers across the state. Our members, from single-truck operators to major carriers, rely on a Comptroller who recognizes trucking’s essential role in Texas’ growth. Kelly Hancock brings that leadership, and he has our full support.”

“I’m honored to earn the support of the Texas Trucking Association,” said Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. “Trucking is the backbone of our state’s economy — moving the goods, energy, and agricultural products that keep Texas growing. As Comptroller, I’ll continue championing policies that strengthen our freight network, cut unnecessary red tape, and ensure Texas remains the best place in America to build, move, and do business.”

Since 1932, TXTA has served as the unified voice for the trucking industry in Texas. TXTA is dedicated to advocating sound public policies, providing excellence in education, research, training and information, as well as promoting a safe, dependable and efficient motor transportation system. With hundreds of member companies across the state ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies along with the companies that provide them with products and services, TXTA members play a key role in deciding what issues we focus on and allow us to keep doing what we do best—making Texas a great state to own and operate a business.

Today, Music Venue Alliance – Texas endorsed Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock for Texas Comptroller.

“Live music is the heartbeat of Texas culture and a major engine of economic success,” said Edwin Cabaniss, Chairman and Co-Founder of Music Venue Alliance – Texas. “Music venues generate billions in economic activity – supporting local hotels, restaurants, bars, and small businesses from rural towns to urban centers. Kelly was indispensable during COVID-19 as Chair of Senate Business and Commerce, cutting red tape and helping us safely reopen. We’re confident he’ll continue helping the industry grow as the next Texas Comptroller.”

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Texas Music Venue Alliance,” said Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. “Independent venues are where Texas talent is born. By reducing red tape and championing pro-business policies, we help these venues thrive and keep Texas music strong. Their success fuels jobs, tourism, and economic growth in every corner of our state.”

The Texas Music Venue Alliance was created in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to be a unified voice for the more than 800 small to midsize live music venues in Texas to create guidelines that prioritizes the safety of the venues, employees, artists and patrons during a live music event.

Texas Public Policy Foundation

On this special episode of Taxpayer Empowerment, TPPF’s Jose Melendez sits down with Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock for an in-depth discussion on the state of Texas’ finances. Comptroller Hancock explains how the Comptroller’s office manages the launch of the nation’s largest school choice program, ensures transparency in state budgeting, and delivers tax relief to families impacted by the recent Hill Country flooding.