Kelly Gene Hancock (born December 2, 1963) is an American businessman and Republican State Senator for District 9,[1] which encompasses portions of Tarrant and Dallas counties, including all or part of the following communities in Tarrant County: Arlington, Bedford, Blue Mound, Colleyville, Euless, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Haltom City, Hurst, Keller, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Saginaw, Southlake, Trophy Club, Watauga and Westlake. In Dallas County, Senate District 9 includes portions of Dallas, Grand Prairie, and Irving.[2] Hancock was elected to the Texas Senate in November 2012, having previously served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives.[3]
Kelly Hancock | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President pro tempore of the Texas Senate | |
| In office January 10, 2023 – May 29, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Donna Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Charles Schwertner |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 9th district | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Chris Harris |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 91st district | |
| In office January 9, 2007 – January 7, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Griggs |
| Succeeded by | Stephanie Klick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kelly Gene Hancock December 2, 1963 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Baylor University (BBA) |
| Website | State Senate website |
Personal life
editA Fort Worth native, Hancock has resided his entire life in the Mid-Cities area of Tarrant County. In 2003, Hancock and his brother Cary founded Advanced Chemical Logistics, a chemical distribution company in Northeast Fort Worth.[4][5]
Hancock graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, in 1986 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Hancock and his wife Robin live in North Richland Hills with their children: Chloe, Skylar and Harrison.[6]
Political career
editHancock is a lifelong conservative who began his political career serving for thirteen years on the Birdville ISD school board. In 2006, he was elected to the first of three consecutive terms in the Texas House of Representatives for District 91.[7]
In the Texas Senate's 83rd Legislative Session of 2013, Hancock was tabbed to serve on the following committees: Transportation, Jurisprudence, Business and Commerce, and Senate Administration. Hancock serves as the vice chairman for the Economic Development Committee.[8][9]
In September 2013, Hancock announced his intent to run for a second term in the Senate.[10][11]
Hancock was named one of the "Worst Legislators" in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine in 2017.[12]
In 2021, Republicans in the Texas legislature drew heavily pro-Republican gerrymandered maps to vastly increase the number of safe Republican districts. Hancock's district, which had been a competitive district in the 2020 election, was redrawn to make it much more Republican.[13]
Legislation
editNCAA championship game in Arlington
editIn April 2013, Hancock authored Senate Bill 398, which ensured AT&T Stadium in Arlington would be eligible for state funds in the facility's pursuit of a BCS National Championship game in College Football.[14] Governor Rick Perry signed the bill into law.[15] Arlington and AT&T Stadium will host college football's first playoff National Championship Game after the 2014 season.[16]
Voter fraud
editIn the 2017 special legislative session, Hancock spoke in support of a bill to increase the penalty from misdemeanor to felony when one is convicted of intentionally submitting false information on a mail-in ballot application. Hancock said mail-in voting has been targeted for illegal voting and election fraud and that the legislation is needed. Democrat Jose Menendez of San Antonio, however, argued against the legislation on grounds of "unintended consequences."[17]
Delivery of alcoholic beverages
editIn 2019 Hancock co-sponsored a bill[18] that was signed by governor Greg Abbott on June 12, 2019.[19] Dealing with the sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages to private citizens. This law allows food establishments to sell and deliver alcohol along with food deliveries.[20]
2018 reelection
editHancock was reelected to the state Senate in the general election held on November 6, 2018. With 132,001 votes (54.1 percent), he defeated his Democratic opponent, Gwenn Burud, who polled 112,113 (45.9 percent). His margin in Tarrant County was sufficient to overcome his loss in increasingly Democratic Dallas County.[21]
Electoral history
edit2012 Texas Senate General Election
Won with 58.37% of vote
2012 Texas Senate Republican Party Primary Election
Won with 64.96% of vote
Texas House District 91, 2010 General Election
Won with 100.00% of vote
Texas House District 91, 2010 Republican Party Primary Election
Won with 75.36% of vote
Texas House District 91, 2008 General Election
Won with 61.27% of vote
Texas House District 91, 2008 Republican Party Primary Election
Won with 100.00% of vote
Texas House District 91, 2006 General Election
Won with 59.07% of vote
Texas House District 91, 2006 Republican Party Primary Election
Won with 52.46% of vote[22]
References
edit- ^ "The Texas State Senate: District 9". Hancock.senate.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2013-11-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Cortez, Beth (2013-01-23). "Texas Senators Learn Who's Up for Reelection in 2014, Who's Safe Till 2016". Texasobserver.org. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ "Advanced Chemical Logistics". Advanced-chemical.com. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ "Chamber - Small Business of the Year Award". Fortworthchamber.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-23. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ "Kelly Hancock | Texas Conservative Coalition". Txcc.org. Archived from the original on 2014-12-31. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ "Kelly Hancock's Political Summary - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ Texas Senate Media Services. "The Texas State Senate: Committee Information, Hearings, and News". Senate.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ "Texas Legislature Online - 83rd Legislature - Information for Sen. Kelly Hancock". Capitol.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ "Senator Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) Announces Re-election Campaign for SD 9". Tcjlpac.com. 2013-09-30. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ Tinsley, Anna M. (2013-09-30). "State Sen. Kelly Hancock seeks re-election | Elections & Politics | News from Fort Worth". Star-telegram.com. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ Ratcliffe, RG (July 1, 2017). "The Best and Worst Legislators 2017". Texas Monthly. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
- ^ Barragán, James (2021-10-22). "Texas' new political maps create safer districts for incumbents — and put an end to some challengers' runs". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
- ^ Tinsley, Anna M. (2013-04-12). "Bill would help land BCS title game at Cowboys Stadium | Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News - Spor". Star-telegram.com. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ "House sends Perry bill to help Cowboys Stadium snare college football title game". Allvoices.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-08. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ "Arlington, Texas, to host first College Football Playoff championship - ESPN". Espn.go.com. 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
- ^ Allie Morris and Peggy Fikac, "Legislature sends 4 bills to gov as finish line nears: Tree, annexation changes await voters," San Antonio Express-News, August 11, 2017, pp. 1, A21.
- ^ Hancock, Kelly (March 4, 2019). "A Bill to be Entitled an Act". Texas Senate. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
- ^ "Bill:SB 1450, Legislative Session: 85(R)". Texas Legislature. June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
- ^ Sault, Spring (June 10, 2019). "New Texas Law Will Allow Alcohol Delivery With Food". Texas Hill Country magazine. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
- ^ "Election Returns". Texas Secretary of State. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
- ^ "State Sen. Kelly Hancock". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2013-11-16.