Speculation continues to simmer. Will Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison run for another term in 2012, or will she retire as promised last year ahead of the failed bid to unseat Gov. Rick Perry in the primary last March.
The Hill, a newspaper read by Capitol insiders, weighs in today, saying tea partiers would support anyone but her, and quoting Austin-based Tea Party activist Dean Wright saying that Hutchison "burned some bridges" in challenging Perry and "she hasn't embraced the grassroots." The story also quotes Perry strategist Dave Carney saying that lots of would-be 2012 senatorial contenders are "frozen in place" pending a clear sign from Hutchison about her plans.
Her stance since the March primary has been that she hasn't made up her mind about running again.
As lots of us have reported, Hutchison depleted her federal campaign account -- it's now around $50,000 -- by shifting funds to her gubernatorial effort. She would have to raise lots of money to mount a serious bid, and soon, to fend off the likes of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Railroad Commissioners Michael Williams and Elizabeth Ames Jones, and former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams in the GOP primary. Dewhurst has hinted but not announced. The others have actively campaigned.
The story also points out that Texas' junior senator, John Cornyn, would be in a pinch if Hutchison runs. As chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, his mission is to protect GOP incumbents and maximize the party's gains. But this election cycle, that put him at odds with tea partiers in several states, and it could be an especially tricky dance for him back home in 2012.
Read the full Hill story here.
Source: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/11/hutchison-watch-texas-conserva.html
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