Nov
13
Written by:
Andy Hogue
11/13/2009 4:53 PM
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison announced today she is planning to remain in the federal Senate until the March primary.
She previously hinted that she would leave the Senate by the end of November, but later said it is her intention to fight socialized health care -- an intention that was solidified in a press statement.
“These issues are too important to leave the fight to a newly appointed freshman senator,” Hutchison said in the press statement. “A newly appointed senator would be selected in the midst of a political storm. And will need on-the-job training in the midst of a crisis ... I know that keeping my senate responsibilities while running for governor may not be the best thing for my campaign. Some have told me that for the sake of political expedience I should quit the Senate now to focus on winning the primary. To them I say, perhaps its time we elect a governor who puts a little less priority on what is politically expedient.”
The Perry campaign (naturally) jumped on the news.
"We appreciate that Senator Hutchison has taken the governor's advice and finally decided to make a decision to stay in Washington. Hopefully this will allow her to be a full-time senator for the people of Texas," said Perry spokesman Mark Miner, in a press release.