Kelly Hancock’s decision to leave the Texas Senate and run for state comptroller has had a cascading effect on Texas politics.

Hancock announced on June 19 that he was leaving the state legislature to accept an appointment as chief clerk in the comptroller’s office.

The current comptroller, Glenn Hegar, was named the new chancellor of the Texas A&M system and is expected to begin serving in that role on July 1. When Hegar leaves, as chief clerk, Hancock will be the interim comptroller to finish Hegar’s unexpired term.

The former state Senator from North Richland Hills said he intended to run in 2026 to fill the comptroller position for the next term and quickly received Gov. Greg Abbott’s endorsement. Hancock won’t run unchallenged, however. He’ll face at least two conservative Republican challengers in the March primary: Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and former State Sen. Don Huffines.

With Hancock’s District 9 Tarrant County seat now open in the Senate, Texas State Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Dist. 93, said he won’t run for reelection in the Texas House and would instead run for Hancock’s old Senate seat. Northwest ISD Trustee Steve Sprowls said he is interested in Schatzline’s House seat and would run in that race.

On Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called a special election to fill Hancock’s Senate seat. Abbott said the special election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Voters in Harris County will vote on a special election on the same day to fill the U.S. House Dist. 18 seat which was left vacant with the death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner. In that race, Independent Reyna Anderson is running against Democrat Feldon Bonner II.

Candidates who wish to run in either of the special elections must file their applications with the Secretary of State by 5 p.m. on Sept. 3.

Early voting for this November’s election will begin on Monday, Oct. 20, and will end on Friday, Oct. 31. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

The primary for the comptroller’s race will be held next year, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The general election will be Nov. 3, 2026.