Capitol Annex On Tumblr

TX-SEN: Hutchison Announcement Means Changes For 2010 Landscape

Check out this post: http://capitolannex.com/2010/03/31/tx-sen-hutchison-announcement-means-changes-for-2010-landscape/) U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s announcement today that she will remain in the Senate until the conclusion of her current term will mean major changes for the race to replace her which, since 2009, had seen significant activity as many assumed she would resign early because of her run for governor. So far, at least one already announced candidate for Hutchison’s seat in a special election has bowed out of a 2012 run: State Sen. Florence Shapiro:

“The political landscape of American government has dramatically shifted since I announced my US Senate candidacy almost 21 months ago,” Shapiro stated. “State government is now the last back stop to an over-reaching federal government.” With a positive reflection on her US Senate journey, Shapiro said she leaves the federal race with no regrets. “I wouldn’t do it any differently,” she said. “I am truly humbled by each of those who helped the campaign and proud of what we accomplished.” “My decision to withdrawal from the US Senate race is an obvious and clear one,” Shapiro stated. “To protect Texas taxpayers, I firmly believe we now need an all hands on deck commitment by our state legislature.”

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, who had hinted at interest in the seat, announced yesterday he’d seek another term as mayor; former Secretary of State Roger Williams this morning said he would refocus his efforts on a 2012 run. Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Williams, a favorite of GOP conservatives, hasn’t yet made a statement about his plans. Williams, moreso than some others seeking Hutchison’s seat, is in a bit of a pickle: his current term as Railroad Commissioner does not expire until 2014. Although evidently exempted from the Texas Constitution’s “resign to run” provisions, Williams could face political issues if he was to fail in a senate run and re-run for his current office or another statewide post in 2014. Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones, however, is charging ahead with her 2012 run:

“From the beginning, my plan has been to run for the U.S. Senate in 2012 when both the senator’s and my terms are up. I am happy to announce that nothing has changed with her announcement today.

On the Democratic side, former Texas Comptroller John Sharp—the only candidate remaining who was planning on running for a potentially unexpired Hutchison term, has released two separate statements, neither of which specifically say whether or not he will continue his race until 2012, although he previously sated he would.