Ex-Rep. Hance of Texas Tells Switch to GOP

Former Democratic Rep. Kent Hance, who ran last year for a U.S. Senate seat eventually won by a Democrat turned Republican, announced Friday that he also is switching to the GOP.

Hance, 42, of Lubbock, said he has not decided whether to seek office next year, although several Republicans have encouraged him to challenge Democratic Gov. Mark White.

He said his political switch reflects the shift of conservatives away from a party that has become too liberal and unwilling to change. “You’re seeing a voter realignment across the country, especially in the South and especially here in Texas. A lot of them are fed up,” Hance said.

Gramm at His Side

Last year, Hance came within 1,400 votes of being the Democratic Senate nominee against Republican Phil Gramm, who had recently switched parties. Hance made his announcement Friday in Washington with Gramm at his side.

“I was brought up to call ‘em like I see ‘em,” Hance said later at a news conference in Austin. “We (conservatives) have not abandoned our principles, but the Democratic Party has abandoned us.”

Among those congratulating Hance was President Reagan, who sent him a telegram saying: “From one former Democrat to another, welcome to the team. We really did not leave the Democratic Party over the years. It simply left us.”

GOP recruiters found Hance’s background attractive and hope that his switch will pull along many of his region’s old-line Democratic conservatives.