Kent Ronald Hance (born November 14, 1942) is an American politician and lawyer who is the former[1] Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.

His campaign at the beginning seemed doomed to failure, but Hance quickly made connection with voters in the sprawling West Texas district.

After winning the 1978 Democratic primary nomination for the Lubbock-based 19th Congressional District, he defeated the Republican nominee George W. Bush of Midland.

The seat, which was based in Lubbock, had been held since inception by popular Democrat George H. Mahon, long-time chairman of the House Appropriations Committee (the 19th included most of the Permian Basin at the time).

Bush won the Republican nomination in a hard-fought but low-turnout runoff primary against the 1976 party nominee, Jim Reese of Odessa.

No candidate received a majority vote in the primary, so Hance, along with State Senator Lloyd Doggett of Austin, advanced to a run-off.

In 2009, Hance received the South Plains Council Boy Scouts of America John F. Lott Distinguished Citizen Award.

Additionally, Hance received the Hope Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society West Texas Chapter in April 2010.