U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R)
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- UPDATE: U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison announced she won't be seeking re-election in 2012. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, released a statement in reaction to her annoucement, he said its been an honor to serve with Kay Bailey Hutchison in the United States Senate.
"Kay has dedicated much of her life to serving Texas, and our entire country, and I am enormously grateful to be able to work alongside a woman of her vision, a woman of her energy, and someone who represents the very best of the State of Texas. Kay came to the Senate to make a difference, to work to find solutions to the complex problems of modern society, and to attain real and lasting change. She has succeeded in brilliant fashion."
He went on to say that Sen. Hutchison makes him proud to say he's from the Great State of Texas, and he is proud to call her friend.
"I thank Senator Hutchison for her leadership, for her counsel, and for her steadfast service to the Great State of Texas and to the United States of America. I wish her, her husband Ray, and her wonderful children Bailey and Houston, all the best."
Previously Posted:
The Dallas Morning News is reporting that Kay Bailey Hutchison won't seek re-election in 2012, to the U.S. Senate.
According to the paper, the U.S. Senator sent a letter to her supporters, and said she's enjoyed serving Texas.
"I am announcing today that I will not be a candidate for re-election in 2012," she wrote to supporters. "That should give the people of Texas ample time to consider who my successor will be."
We will have more on this story, as we get additional information, and be sure to watch our newscasts tonight for more.
What do you think, is it time for Hutchison to retire? Do you think its time for some new blood in Washington? Weigh in with our web poll below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Story by the Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has announced that she will retire after her current term expires.
In a letter released Thursday, Hutchison said she will not run for re-election in 2012. Hutchison has said she might retire and then changed her mind several times in the last few years. In 2010, she challenged Gov. Rick Perry in the Republican primary for governor, but lost.
Hutchison has been in the Senate since 1993.
In her letter, Hutchison said she had intended to leave office sooner, but was persuaded to stay on to "avoid disadvantage to our state."
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
