Pro Politics with Zac McCrary

Political pollster Zac McCrary interviews interesting people who work in and around the political industry. Guests come from a multitude of backgrounds and specialties within the political industry, and span the partisan spectrum. This is not a podcast for partisan squabbling or punditry about the latest issue in DC - it is hearing directly from successful people in the industry...their stories, experiences, and advice. This is a podcast for anyone who works in politics, hopes to work in politics, or wants to get up close to see how things really work in the world of professional politics.

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Pro Politics with Zac McCrary

Chancellor & Congressman Kent Hance, the Best Storyteller in Texas

March 05, 2024 • Zac McCrary

Kent Hance served 6 years in the House from West Texas, was Chair of the Texas Railroad Commission, and had an 8-year tenure as Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System - but his most famous political accomplishment is as the only person to ever defeat George W. Bush in a political campaign. He also hosts his own podcast, The Best Storyteller in Texas, where he mines his favorite political stories and weighs in on the news of the day. In this conversation, Chancellor Kent Hance talks about his famous 1978 win over George W. Bush in an open-seat congressional...his preceding time in the Texas State Senate, his time in the House carrying landmark legislation for President Reagan, running statewide, helming a major public university system, memories of iconic political figures, and some of his best stories from 6+ decades in politics.

IN THIS EPISODE...

Growing up in rural West Texas...

How the books his mother chose to read to him as a child led to a lifelong interest politics...

A Kent Hance best-practice for avoiding troublemakers at town hall meetings...

How he took on a West Texas political machine to beat a sitting State Senator in 1974...

Chancellor Hance shares his memories of iconic Texas political figures John Connally, Lloyd Bentsen, and Ann Richards...

Going in-depth about his good friend and former colleague, Congresswoman Charlie Wilson...

How Kent Hance beat George W. Bush for Congress in an open seat race in 1978...

The 1978 Hance campaign tactic that stuck with George W. Bush for 30+ years...

Memories of sponsoring President Reagan's historic, controversial tax cut in the early 1980s.

Highlighting a major difference in the leadership style of Presidents Reagan and Trump...

Coming up short running for Senate in 1984...

Demystifying what it's like serving on the Texas Railroad Commission...

What led to becoming Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System...

The curveball of the Texas Tech football coach he helped hire becoming now-US Senator Tommy Tuberville...

AND $1.2 Billion, AT&T, Jodey Arrington, Coalter Baker, Jim Baker, bank charters, Choc Blanchard, Doc Blanchard, Laura Bush, The Committee for the Survival of a Free Congress, Barber Conable, dealmakers, Bob Dole, Ken Duberstein, Phil Gramm, hardcore Navy guys, Tommy Joe Harrison, hating Communists, Chic Hecht, Vic Henry, Bill Hobby, Lee Iacocca, Jack Kemp, LBJ, Little Britches, George Mahon, mail carriers, Wilbur Mills, Walter Mondale, the New England Journal of Medicine, Don Pease, Sam Rayburn, Walter Rogers, Dan Rostenkowski, Preston Smith, talking heads, trial lawyers, Donald Trump, Paul Weyrich, whipping the Russians, Clayton Williams, windfall profits tax...& more!