What to know about special election to replace Kelly Hancock in the Texas Senate
North Texas Sen. Kelly Hancock’s move to the Texas Comptroller’s office clears the way for a special election to fill the Senate District 9 seat he’s held since 2013.
The North Richland Hills Republican announced his resignation from the Texas Senate on June 19 and is poised to become the next Texas Comptroller on July 1. The leadership shake-up comes after Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced he was stepping down to become chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.
There are still many unknowns about the special election to replace Hancock mid-term, including when the election will be held. Hancock was next up for election in 2026, which means whoever replaces him will have a short stint, finishing out the remainder of the four year term, before the seat is back on the ballot.
The district includes much of Tarrant County, including Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst and Keller, and parts of Fort Worth, Azle, Bedford and Arlington.
Here’s what we know so far.
When is the special election for Senate District 9?
A date has not been set for a special election to fill Senate District 9.
According to Texas Election Code, the election must be held “on the first uniform election date occurring on or after the 36th day after the date the election is ordered.” The next Election Day is Nov. 4, when constitutional amendments will be voted on.
That said, Gov. Greg Abbott could call an emergency election, to be held on “a Tuesday or Saturday occurring on or after the 36th day and on or before the 64th day after the date the election is ordered.”
Given lawmakers are headed into a July 21 special session, there also could be an expedited election, which “must be held on a Tuesday or Saturday occurring not earlier than the 21st day or later than the 45th day after the date the election is ordered.”
Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Abbott, said the governor’s office did not have anything to announce as of Tuesday morning.
Will there be a primary?
A primary would not be held, which means all candidates will appear on one ballot, regardless of party affiliation. The race could go into a runoff though, if a single candidate doesn’t get more than half of the votes.
Who’s running for Senate District 9?
Rep. Nate Schatzline, a Fort Worth Republican, and Taylor Rehmet, a Democrat from Fort Worth, have announced bids for Senate District 9.
Schatzline has worked as a pastor and founded For Liberty & Justice, which works at “mobilizing the local church to see reformation in government,” according to a news release from his campaign. He was first elected to the House in 2022 and is among the chamber’s most conservative members.
Schatzline announced his campaign on June 24, and is not resigning from his House seat, according to his campaign. His announcement included the endorsements of local city and county leaders, state representatives and local precinct chairs.
“Texas is in a stronger place today because of the conservative steps forward we’ve taken since I’ve been in office, but it hasn’t been without a huge effort,” Schatzline said in a statement. “It’s clear that our state will only be as conservative to the extent we are willing to fight for it. As a Senator I will continue to show up to battle for Texans, standing firmly by the principles and promises I have made and kept.”
Rehmet is an Air Force veteran and the president of the Texas Chapter of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, according to a news release from his campaign. He is an aircraft technician at Lockheed Martin, according to his LinkedIn page.
“Every day, I roll up my sleeves, clock in, and go to bat for what’s right.” Rehmet said in a June 23 statement, announcing his bid. “I swore an oath to the Constitution when I joined the Air Force, and that promise didn’t expire when I hung up my uniform. Texas is being sold off to the highest bidder and working folks are being left behind. I’m running because we deserve a government that works as hard as we do.”
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 2:35 PM.
