- Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock has suspended Historically Underutilized Business certifications as part of an effort to eliminate race and sex-based preferences in government
- Earlier this year, Governor Greg Abbott issued an Executive Order directing all state agencies to treat all people equally, regardless of race
- Hancock, who will face Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and former State Senator Don Huffines in the 2026 Republican Primary for State Comptroller, has been endorsed by Governor Abbott
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock is targeting race and sex-based preferences in Texas government with an announcement earlier this week that his office will suspend Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) certifications for state procurement.
“Texans deserve a level playing field where government contracts are earned by performance and best value – nothing more, nothing less,” Hancock said. “Our office is committed to protecting taxpayer funds and ensuring that every Texas business has an equal opportunity to compete for government contracts. This action today reflects that commitment and reinforces Texas’ longstanding principles of fairness and accountability.”
In a tweet regarding the suspension, Hancock emphasized his opposition to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
“Businesses deserve a level playing field where government contracts are earned by performance and best value – not race or sex quotas. We must END ALL DEI in Texas!”, wrote Hancock.
A guidance document issued by Hancock’s office and distributed to other state agencies instructed agencies to ensure that only race- and sex-neutral standards are used in awarding contracts.
The document states, in part, “Agencies may not award a government contract based on race, ethnicity, or sex. Instead, competition for state contracts must be conducted based strictly on legal criteria, in order to produce best value for the state. Agencies are prohibited from preferencing some vendors — and disfavoring others — based on race, ethnicity, or sex. That means agencies may not award points in an evaluation, including through a HUB designation, based on the race, ethnicity or sex of the vendor. In the case of a tie bid, the contractor must be selected in accordance with the order of preference listed in the Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide.”
Earlier this year, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-55 to prohibit racial discrimination in state government. Abbott’s order directed all state agencies to “comply with the color-blind guarantee of both the state and federal Constitutions, including by ensuring that all agency rules, policies, employment practices, communications, curricula, use of state funds, awarding of government benefits, and all other official actions treat people equally, regardless of race.”
Liberal Democrats took issue with Hancock’s decision to suspend HUB certifications.
“This program supports women, veteran, and minority-owned businesses across our state. This is a shameful attack on small businesses — Texas should be expanding opportunity, not erasing it,” said Democrat State Representative John Bucy.
Hancock, a former State Senator, became acting Comptroller earlier this year after Glenn Hegar stepped down to become Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Governor Greg Abbott has endorsed Hancock for Comptroller in the 2026 Republican Primary, where Hancock will face off against Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and former State Senator Don Huffines.
