In the Press

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.

CBS News Texas

Now that Hancock has resigned from his State Senate seat in Tarrant County, there is an opening. Gov. Abbott will soon call for a special election. Republican State Rep. Nate Schatzline of Fort Worth said he’s considering running for the seat.

The Texan

By Brad Johnson

Kelly Hancock launched his long-rumored bid for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Now-former state Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) announced his bid for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts shortly after joining the agency as an employee — a way to get around the constitutional obstacles related to a direct appointment.

He is the third candidate in the race, joining former state Sen. Don Huffines (R-Dallas) and Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick.

Below is a transcription of The Texan’s interview with Hancock about the race, his time in the Legislature, and the transition to a new job. It has been lightly edited for readability.

Now-former Sen. Kelly Hancock, congratulations on the run. You just jumped into the comptroller’s race today and, of course, started as chief clerk at the comptroller’s office. How’s the first day going with the new job?

Well, I got Gov. Greg Abbott’s endorsement. It’s not a bad start.

Why run for this office, and what do you bring to the table in this campaign?

I am a financial guy, and it’s what I focused on all along; I served on the Senate Finance Committee. And Texas is a great state. There’s a lot going on, and I’ve got a good history [in the Legislature]: ten years working on the budget from one side and years on the Legislative Budget Board. We of course passed the most conservative spending cap the state’s ever had. But there’s a lot going on. It’s an exciting place right now.

When you look at federal funds coming back on border security — potentially — we’ve got to make sure that with all that border money we continue to secure the border, while making sure we don’t pay twice for things. And that we use federal dollars when we can, so we’re not using Texas taxpayer dollars. Other things are broadband expansion and the opioid settlement, but the big thing now is education savings accounts (ESAs). With my 13 years on the school board and all the other experience, it’s just a really good fit. And I like good challenges, and I’m excited about it.

Read more at The Texan.

CBS Austin

By Jahmal Kennedy

AUSTIN, Texas — 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.

Hegar, who is set to become the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, expressed confidence in his choice.

“It’s a proud day for me, a big day for this agency, to make sure that as we are moving forward, this agency is in somebody’s hands who is honest, who is trustworthy, the people of the state of Texas can trust,” Hegar said of Hancock.

Hancock, who will leave his current role as a state senator, has identified education savings accounts as a top priority in his new position.

“Freedom for those in the education area to help us improve our education that’s been lagging,” Hancock said.

Read more at CBS Austin.

FOX 4 News

By Steven Ardary

AUSTIN, Texas – Former state Sen. Kelly Hancock was sworn in as chief clerk of the Texas Comptroller’s Office on Thursday while simultaneously launching his campaign to lead the office.

The North Richland Hills Republican also picked up an endorsement for the office from Gov. Greg Abbott. The comptroller serves as the state’s chief financial officer.

Hancock will assume the role of acting comptroller on July 1.

Current Comptroller Glenn Hegar is stepping down to become Chancellor of the Texas A&M University system.

Read more at FOX 4 News.

Austin American-Statesman

By John C. Moritz

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Thursday named now-former state Sen. Kelly Hancock as chief clerk, setting the stage for the North Texas Republican to take over the office in a few weeks when Hegar leaves to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.

Hancock, a longtime state senator who has served on the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee for more than a decade, said in a news release that his new job will be to “serve every Texas taxpayer.”

“This office plays a vital role in driving Texas’ continued economic success,” he said.

Hegar, in the same release, was effusive in his praise for Hancock.

“Kelly is a great fit to serve as the chief financial officer of Texas,” Hegar said. “As a long-serving member of the Texas Legislature, he helped shape sound financial policy.”

Hegar, first elected comptroller in 2014, will leave office in the middle of his third term on July 1 to succeed retiring A&M Chancellor John Sharp, who, like Hegar, served as both state comptroller and state senator.

Read more at Austin American-Statesman.