Senator Hutchison Won’t Resign Until After March Primary

Senator Kay Baily Hutchison has announced that she plans to remain in the U.S. Senate through the March 2010 primaries.

The Senator, who is challenging Governor Rick Perry for the GOP nomination, will formally outline her plans in Galveston Saturday morning.

2 On The Beat received excerpts from the Senator’s speech, and she reiterates her committment to run and win the race for Governor of  Texas:

“I have said before that I intended to resign this fall after I worked to defeat the Obama health care bill. I have not said the exact date for resignation because we were waiting for the Democrats to schedule the Senate debate.“But the bill has now passed out of the House, taking us one perilous step closer to a government takeover of nearly one-third of our economy. We are a step closer to huge tax increases. To the loss of countless jobs. And the end of patient choice. The Democrats are going to pull out every stop to socialize American medicine. But we will fight it every step of the way. And it could be a long fight.

“I am more determined than ever to become the 48th Governor of the great state of Texas. But at the same time I must put what’s best for my campaign aside and do what is best for our state. That is why I must stay in the Senate while running for the Republican nomination for Governor.”

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 The Senator’s decision drew a quick response from Governor Perry’s campaign spokesperson, Mark Miner: 

Statement by Texans for Rick Perry Spokesman Mark Miner on Sen. Hutchison’s Announcement:

“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.”

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