Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock has announced his resignation from the position of Texas’ chief financial officer, effective at the end of July. He communicated his decision through a resignation letter addressed to Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday.
Hancock’s announcement, which was first reported by Texas Bullpen and later confirmed by Abbott, comes exactly one year after he assumed control of the agency. He was appointed to the role following the departure of former comptroller Glenn Hegar, who left to become the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.
During his tenure, Hancock was instrumental in launching a significant $1 billion program that provides parents with vouchers to send their children to private schools, marking one of the agency’s most ambitious new initiatives.
Governor Abbott praised Hancock’s contribution on social media, stating, “Kelly led the Comptroller’s office during a pivotal chapter for Texas. His leadership and experience, from the local school board to the Texas Legislature, helped make possible the launch of the largest school choice program in our nation’s history, expanding educational opportunity for Texas families.”
In his resignation letter, Hancock highlighted the successful implementation of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts voucher program, which began distributing funds to parents as of Wednesday. He noted that the law enabling this initiative was enacted less than a year ago, emphasizing his commitment to expediting processes within the office to achieve results efficiently.
A Republican from North Richland Hills, Hancock initially sought a full term as comptroller but was defeated in the primary by Don Huffines, a former Senate colleague and conservative businessman from Dallas. Despite his departure, Hancock expressed confidence that the agency would continue to effectively serve Texans and maintain momentum on ongoing projects, believing that Huffines would build upon the groundwork laid during his term.
Huffines is set to face Democratic state Senator Sarah Eckhardt from Austin in the upcoming general election.
Hancock’s resignation signifies the end of his public service career, which began as a school board member. He has spent nearly two decades in the Legislature, serving first in the state House and then as a senator for a North Texas district that includes parts of Tarrant County.
The vacancy created by Hancock’s exit from the Texas Senate resulted in a special election that was notably won by a Democrat, representing a significant shift in a district that President Donald Trump had previously carried by over 17 points. This unexpected outcome has generated considerable interest, as it may indicate a potential shift in voter sentiment ahead of the fall midterm elections.
Among the critical races in November will be the election to fill Hancock’s position as comptroller, a role that is vital for managing the state’s finances, collecting taxes, and projecting state revenue—an essential function for guiding the Legislature’s budget planning every two years.
Texas operates with a $337 billion budget and generates more than a quarter trillion dollars in revenue.
