AUSTIN – U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s announcement that she will not seek re-election set off shock-waves and speculation at the State Capitol and a major focus of that speculation is Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.
He considered a run for Hutchison’s seat when she erroneously announced plans to resign while running for governor in 2010.
The news came down while Dewhurst was holding a luncheon with reporters at the State Capitol. Reporters were quick to ask if he had any interest in taking the seat Hutchison says she will vacate when her term is up in 2012.
“I've got my plate full and as to what I do after the (current legislative) session, I’ll look at that once we’ve had a very productive session,” Dewhurst said. “I'll be glad to talk to you more about that in June or July.”
Instead of waiting months, reporters only waited hours to hear more from the lieutenant governor.
By 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dewhurst released a statement saying: “I fully intend to explore running for the United States Senate, and should I run, I will run with the intention of winning and continuing to serve the people of Texas...I will have more to say about my future plans in the coming weeks.”
Hutchison's announcement proved yet again she can set off speculation at the State Capitol, even from hundreds of miles away, and on both sides of the political aisle.
"The immediate thought people in this building have is, 'Who is going to replace her?'” said State Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin.
However, he believes Democrats will have a tough time recruiting a candidate from within their party.
“I think it’s going to be hard after the drumming we took to recruit good candidates,” Strama said.
In the past, Democrats have tried to entice State Senator Leticia van de Putte to run.
“Absolutely not; I have no interest,” she told KVUE News in an interview Thursday afternoon.
She has said "no" in the past; she says "no" now. She also says Hutchison leaves a legislative legacy.
“Senator Kay has been an unbelievable champion for our state,” van de Putte said.
