GOP Sen. Hutchison Plans To Resign In The Fall, Focus On Gubernatorial Campaign
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), told a local news radio show in Texas that she plans to resign her Senate seat in October or November in order to focus full-time on her campaign for Governor in 2010.
Hutchison said she'll remain in the Senate long enough to fight President Obama on health care and cap-and-trade. "I'm trying to finish those things in a responsible way and then I'm coming home to try to give leadership to Texas," said Hutchison.
This is in fact a widely expected move, and had been openly discussed by her fellow Texas Senator, NRSC chairman John Cornyn.
A resignation would be immediately filled through an interim appointment by Republican Gov. Rick Perry -- whom Hutchison is challenging in the GOP primary -- and there would then be an expedited special election in May 2010. The Republicans would be initially favored due to the state's natural partisan bent, but the race would likely attract a lot of money from both national parties, simultaneously fighting over a single Senate seat and the whole national political narrative going into the mid-terms.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
What a loser! Only quitters stay and fight.
July 29, 2009 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really! She's obviously a dead fish.
July 29, 2009 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's actually too bad that Hutchison is quitting. I mean, it's Texas. How much can we expect? She is actually somewhat moderate, in comparison to Cornyn and a lot of the Texas Congressional delegation. No offense intended (to Texas), but you guys gave us George W., Delay, Cornyn, etc. It's not exactly the most progressive place.
Having acknowledged this, I am excited that we'll have an open Texas seat in 2010. This is better than conceding the seat.
July 29, 2009 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
"She's moderate for a Texan". I hope that's her campaign slogan cuz if it is there'll be a Democrat in the governor's mansion in Austin if she wrestles the nomination from Governor Haircut.
July 29, 2009 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone know who is a likely / good democratic candidate to take Hutchinson's seat?
Lets get a real progressive in there. What could piss off Cornyn more?? ;)
July 29, 2009 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Early money for the Democrats is on Bill White, Mayor of Houston, and John Sharp, the former Comptroller. White is a terrible public speaker (unfortunately I know this from having to experience it). Sharp is relatively popular statewide, but couldn't pull off the Lt. Gov. thing a few years ago. It will be hard for a Democrat statewide in Texas for at least another 6 years - wait for the demographic shift in the cities to overwhelm the rural vote. Of course, my vote doesn't count here - I live in Montgomery County - it went 70-30 for McCain and 80-20 for Bush43 in 2004.
July 29, 2009 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kinky Friedman for US Senate!
July 29, 2009 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kinky's no Al Franken. Let's get someone competent.
July 29, 2009 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is an independent. If he is in it will be a three way race.
He is also unelectable. I was just joking.
July 29, 2009 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's my read:
McCain needed a woman for Veep and Hutchison would have been perfect; they knew they were losing and needed a game-changer, a female Hutchison was ideal.
She already had her eyes on Austin but would have been *delighted* to serve as Veep if there was a ticket that could actually win. Her people looked at McCain and said, "He is going to lose." It isn't publicly known whether they asked her but I'm sure they did, and she ultimately told them to hit the bricks.
Result? Hutchison is future of Republican Party and grandpa ain't.
July 29, 2009 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Question 1: Has Senator Bailey Hutchison given up the drink?
Question 2: Why wait?
July 29, 2009 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
(3?) When did she stop beating her husband?
July 29, 2009 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Senate Repugs finally relized that they have no power and wont get any for some time to come. How many "retired and retiring" Repubicans after the 08 elections?
July 29, 2009 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Isn't Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison the one who said that universal health care in America will kill senior citizens? If so, what makes this person any better a representative than any other GOP candidate? I believe that people who believe that the US domestically and internationally has gone over the deep end need to seek honest, hard working, and down to earth government representatives ... not these shills for corporations!
July 30, 2009 5:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
The financial bailout has proven once again the US Government is the bitch of US corporations. Too big to fail means you pay my gambling tab bitch or I will burn down the house. The bitch paid. So what to think in Texas where the corporate whore goes up against the christian fascist ......whatever who cares, just thank god the Bush boy is out of power in DC. Secession? YES! Please!
July 30, 2009 6:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
The financial bailout has proven once again the US Government is the bitch of US corporations. Too big to fail means you pay my gambling tab bitch or I will burn down the house. The bitch paid. So what to think in Texas where the corporate whore goes up against the christian fascist ......whatever who cares, just thank god the Bush boy is out of power in DC. Secession? YES! Please!
July 30, 2009 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink