Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison launches exploratory committee for Guv Run

Sen.  Kay Bailey Hutchison today filed papers in Austin to begin organizing her campaign for governor in 2010.  

"I am not yet a candidate, but Texas law requires this first, important step before an announcement can be made," she said in a statement.  Hutchison has been laying the groundwork for a gubernatorial run virtually since her re-election to the Senate in 2006.  But she pulled the plug on a 2004 run out of Republican reluctance to have an internal battle between her and Gov. Rick Perry.  The governor, however, has said that he is running for re-election in 2010, setting up a tense dynamic between the two lawmakers.

In her statement, Hutchison takes aim at Perry:

"While Texas is faring somewhat better economically than many other states, a positive future is not guaranteed. It will take leaders who look ahead to meet the economic and budgetary challenges that are coming.

"Texans deserve a governor who, in the context of sound budgetary policies and low taxes, works for quality schools and universities, access to health care for our families, communities safe from crime and drugs, protection of private property rights, sensible transportation and a government that listens and responds to them.

"There's too much bitterness, too much anger, too little trust, too little consensus and too much infighting. And the tone comes from the top. Texans are looking for leadership and results."

If Hutchison resigns her Senate seat in the spring,  Perry would appoint a successor and then a few months late, the state would hold a special election to fill out the remainder of her six-year term to 2012. Among the potential Republican candidates are Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams , Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, Rep. Joe Barton and Rep. Kay Granger.

Democrats interested in the Senate seat include former comptroller John Sharp and Houston Mayor Bill White.

-- Maria Recio

 

Comments

[ed_bunton@yahoo.com]

I hope some one in Gov. fixes it so that Real Property Owners don't have to pay for all of the schools.I believe the other people who use our schools would like to help pay for the schools.

Of coarse I don't have a few million$$$$$ to send the politicians so they want pay any attention to me.

[ed_bunton@yahoo.com]

I hope some one in Gov. fixes it so that Real Property Owners don't have to pay for all of the schools.I believe the other people who use our schools would like to help pay for the schools.

Of coarse I don't have a few million$$$$$ to send the politicians so they want pay any attention to me.

[ed_bunton@yahoo.com]

I hope some one in Gov. fixes it so that Real Property Owners don't have to pay for all of the schools.I believe the other people who use our schools would like to help pay for the schools.

Of coarse I don't have a few million$$$$$ to send the politicians so they want pay any attention to me.

[BP]

Run Kay, Run . . . This State needs to dump Mr. Perry along with a bunch of other so called leaders!!!

[JR]

Looks like Kay is hoping that everyone will forget that she completely ignored voters pleas on the bailout. We got a good preview of what she would do if Governor. Don't reward her with any position. She turned her back on us and now the next four generations will be paying for it. This lifelong Republican will not vote for her!