It’s official: Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is thinking about maybe, possibly, running for governor in 2010.
Yesterday, Hutchison filed the paperwork with the Texas Ethics Commission to establish an exploratory committee for a run at the mansion. Former Bush pioneer Allan “Bud” Shivers, Jr. has signed on as her campaign treasurer: Shivers also helps run deep pocketed tort reformists and one time pals of Tom DeLay Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
Of course, this still only means she’s thinking about it, but it would now be a shock to onlookers if her name wasn’t on the ballot in two years time. All of which steps speculation about infighting in the Texas Republican establishment into high gear.
There’s no reason to believe that Gov. Rick Perry will not run again, but Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst seems to have been squeezed out of this race, and out of the natural succession. Of course, if Hutchison does run, she’ll have to stand down from her Senate seat (which Congressional Republicans may not be very happy about, and rumors swirl that they are actively lobbying the well-regarded and seasoned Hutchison to please, please not leave their ranks). All of which raises the question of who the Republicans (or rather, Perry, who would make the appointment) could put in her place to finish her unexpired term.
This article appears in November 28 • 2008.
