Abbott set the Texas Senate District 4 special election for May 2, 2026 - seven months after Creighton resigned Oct. 2, 2025. How long did Abbott wait to schedule the election for District 9 in Tarrant County after Kelly Hancock left to become state comptroller?

Question

Abbott set the Texas Senate District 4 special election for May 2, 2026 - seven months after Creighton resigned Oct. 2, 2025. How long did Abbott wait to schedule the election for District 9 in Tarrant County after Kelly Hancock left to become state comptroller?

Accepted Answer

Abbott scheduled the SD9 special election for Jan. 31, 2026—approximately 5 months after Hancock resigned to become chief clerk for Comptroller Glenn Hegar in July 2025. Abbott's inconsistent timing reveals discretionary power without legal constraints. He could have scheduled SD4's election for January 2026 (3 months), but chose May (7 months). Why? No legislative session until 2027 means no urgency. Longer vacancies also mean: (1) Incumbents (if any) have more time to campaign, (2) Challengers have less time to organize, (3) Establishment candidates consolidate endorsements. Texas Election Code sets no deadline—governors can wait as long as they want. This unchecked power lets Abbott use election timing strategically to benefit allies, a form of invisible influence voters rarely notice.

Abbott set the Texas Senate District 4 special election for May 2, 2026 - seven months after Creighton resigned Oct. 2, 2025. How long did Abbott wait to schedule the election for District 9 in Tarrant County after Kelly Hancock left to become state comptroller?

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