Chad Hasty, a well-known conservative radio talk show host from West Texas, passed away in his sleep on Thursday morning at the age of 43.
Hasty was the voice behind The Chad Hasty Show, broadcasted on News/Talk 95.1 and 790 KFYO. His program earned a reputation for its insightful political commentary, engaging debates, and notable political figures as guests. In a memorable moment in 2016, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced his impending role on Donald Trump’s team during Hasty’s show, although Trump later appointed Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue instead.
Hasty also made guest appearances on The Texas Tribune’s Trib Cast, with his latest discussion occurring in October 2025, where he addressed the upcoming 2026 Senate race.
Friends remember Hasty entering the radio industry in his early twenties, dedicating the next two decades to developing his show. Throughout his career, he interviewed prominent Texas officials, including Speaker of the Texas House Dustin Burrows, as well as various local government leaders.
“His work was impactful,” remarked Ryan Hyatt, a close friend and host of Raiderland, a digital sports news platform in Lubbock. “He had a voice that resonated throughout Texas.”
David Bruegel, the Lubbock GOP Chairman, noted that Hasty caught his attention in the early 2000s. As a longtime admirer of Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, Bruegel appreciated Hasty’s fresh perspective on political issues and his fearless approach to discussing challenging topics.
Hasty was particularly passionate about encouraging local election participation. Just last week, he and Bruegel discussed his candidacy for District 3 on the Lubbock City Council. Despite the fact that his advocacy for local elections did not always attract the highest viewer numbers, he believed it was vital to prioritize this coverage.
“He always spoke with confidence,” Bruegel reflected. “He was often willing to challenge our own party’s leadership and maintained an open mind. Even when our views diverged, he remained respectful.”
In the radio industry, Hasty developed a close friendship with Ken Corbin, a senior marketing specialist at Townsquare Media, which owns KFYO. Corbin often joined Hasty on his political shows and recalled the difficult decision to reduce Hasty’s two daily programs to one—a change Hasty was initially reluctant to accept. However, Corbin noted that the adjustment ultimately allowed Hasty to refine his afternoon show.
While Hasty’s contributions to radio were widely recognized, Hyatt emphasized that this was just one facet of his life. He was a devoted Christian, a family man, and an enthusiastic sports fan. Hyatt humorously pointed out that Hasty’s favorite baseball team was always the one currently winning.
“He’s the only person I know who could claim to have 15 favorite baseball teams, which was entertaining because at any moment, his favorite team was triumphant,” Hyatt added.
Hasty had a fondness for Stetson Open Road hats and premium cigars, and he always had a restaurant in mind for dinner during his travels.
In recent years, Hasty and his wife, Jennifer, expressed a desire to start a family, choosing to do so through fostering and adoption. This journey led him to become an advocate for foster care in Texas. At the time of his passing, they were fostering a one-year-old girl.
“It’s heartbreaking to see that cut short,” Hyatt said.
Bruegel described Hasty’s death as shocking. Friends noted that he and his wife lived on a family farm north of Lubbock, where they had just begun raising chickens.
In tribute, Hyatt suggested that those who wish to honor Hasty should order nachos “Chad’s Way” this weekend, which consists solely of beef and cheese.
“If there’s anything beyond beef and cheese on the nachos, he’d send it back,” Hyatt recalled. “No sour cream, no pico de gallo, no lettuce, no tomato—just beef and cheese. To understand his unwavering love for nachos, you need to order them Chad’s way.”
