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694 days ago

Despite pledge, senator will not retire

mug.preston
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, will announce Wednesday that she will not retire and will stay in the Senate until her term ends in 2012.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, will announce Wednesday that she will not retire and will stay in the Senate until her term ends in 2012.

Atlanta (CNN) – Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, will announce Wednesday that she will not retire and will stay in the Senate until her term ends in 2012, a Republican familiar with the announcement tells CNN.

"She is going to say she is staying through her term," said the GOP source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, because the source was not authorized to speak on behalf of the senator.

Hutchison unsuccessfully sought the Republican Texas gubernatorial nomination, losing to Gov. Rick Perry earlier this month. National and Texas Republicans have urged Hutchison to stay in office, even though she pledged during the gubernatorial primary that she would leave the Senate.

Since losing the primary, Hutchison has been keeping a low profile and Texas Republican Chairwoman Cathie Adams said early Wednesday morning that she didn't even know what Hutchison planned to say.

"That is going to be very, very good news to a lot of people in people in Texas," Adams said. "The reason it is, is because of her seniority. People were reluctant about her running for governor because they did not want to lose her in Washington."

Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who oversees GOP Senate campaign efforts, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky will join Hutchison at the announcement.

Hutchison was first elected to the Senate in 1993, winning re-elections in 1994, 2000 and 2006.

CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby contributed to this report


Filed under: Kay Bailey Hutchison • Popular Posts
soundoff (49 Responses)
  1. Begone

    In Texas, you must choose the lesser of two evils.

    March 31, 2010 09:28 am at 9:28 am |
  2. Ex Republican

    Typical Republikan, hypocrite and liar. When they dont get their way, they just change the game. Create their own reality and hope everyone else buys it. Lets see just how dumb Texans are to accept this lie.

    March 31, 2010 09:31 am at 9:31 am |
  3. Nimises

    What size flip-flops does she wear? They're so huge!

    March 31, 2010 09:32 am at 9:32 am |
  4. hongli

    it's time to get rid of all members of the PARTY OF NO. The republican party is a party of TUGS,RACISTS,LIARS and CHEATERS. Have you seen any happy and pleasant Republican on television since Nov 04,2008 ?

    March 31, 2010 09:32 am at 9:32 am |
  5. Nimises

    Well, I guess the night at the racy club paid off for the republicans. I suspected she might swing that way. Good job GOP.

    March 31, 2010 09:34 am at 9:34 am |
  6. The Other Michael in Houston

    Water is wet, the sky is blue, CNN. Of course she is going to stay in the Senate, she lost and she needs a job. I'm glad she lost though, I really like Senator Hutchinson and it would have been sad to see her lose the governers race. Besides, I'd rather see Bill White kick Perry's arrogant butt.

    March 31, 2010 09:36 am at 9:36 am |
  7. Don

    Typical liar. Another useless politician hanging around. Can't think of one thing she has accomplished for the country or Texas.

    March 31, 2010 09:37 am at 9:37 am |
  8. Greg in Texas

    A Texas Republican is only as good as their word and history has proven over and over they are not very good.

    March 31, 2010 09:42 am at 9:42 am |
  9. ran

    She has to stay because how else can she continue her fear/hate/obstruct ism/purity Republican ideology. But come election time 2012 she will be gone.

    March 31, 2010 09:43 am at 9:43 am |
  10. James Miller

    YES–NO -- YES --NO--- MEABY-– YES-–now NO.. It`s hard to give up all that power and position and the lobby $$$$$.

    March 31, 2010 09:46 am at 9:46 am |
  11. Jay

    A republican telling a lie? Surely not! They are good, moral people.

    March 31, 2010 09:48 am at 9:48 am |
  12. larry wi

    I hope she does stay. Being a former resident of TX, and being involved with "big business" I wroked closely with Kay on many occassions, that included routine visits to her office. She was always pleasant, and very knowledgable with surface highway transportation workings.

    March 31, 2010 09:49 am at 9:49 am |
  13. a health economist

    Ok, this settles it. The Republicans now lose the right to attack Obama for saying he hasn't kept his promises from the campaign.

    Who am I kidding. I have a better chance of striking oil in my basement.

    March 31, 2010 09:50 am at 9:50 am |
  14. Robert T., New Orleans

    What? A Republican lied? No way!!!

    March 31, 2010 09:51 am at 9:51 am |
  15. Save America, impeach the treasonous republicans

    A pledge by a republican is nothing more than a political ploy. You can never believe them.

    March 31, 2010 09:52 am at 9:52 am |
  16. MiMi

    I'm sorry KBH won't be able to come back to Texas and enjoy her home, but am equally happy she plans to stay in the Senate.

    March 31, 2010 09:59 am at 9:59 am |
  17. GOP = "I hoe he fails"

    Thank God!!!

    I hate to think what kind of bad-crap crazy right-winger would replace her if she retired.

    March 31, 2010 10:01 am at 10:01 am |
  18. Ben in Texas

    They're getting together to spin this as a win for voters, when in actuality, it is just Hutchison breaking her promise.

    Hutchison is a liar, which is synonymous with Republican.

    March 31, 2010 10:02 am at 10:02 am |
  19. Feris Lumpklin

    This is a great move by KBH, and a good one for Texans. Had she retired, neo-con right wing Governor Perry would have chosen one of his cronies for her seat. Perrys long standing mafia-like tactics of placing his crew in power (see Texas A&M) to further his own successes at the cost of his state, is legendary. Good for you, Kay.

    March 31, 2010 10:03 am at 10:03 am |
  20. jim in tx

    She also pledged to only serve two terms in the Senate. Just another serial liar.

    March 31, 2010 10:03 am at 10:03 am |
  21. LacrosseMom

    Of course not! The REAL TERM LIMITS IS........ VOTING.

    March 31, 2010 10:04 am at 10:04 am |
  22. John

    It's understandable since she didn't win the gubernatorial primary, but if you make a pledge you should stand by it, no matter what the consequences are. We all know that the only reason she's staying is to try to block the Democrat's policies from getting passed easily.

    March 31, 2010 10:05 am at 10:05 am |
  23. Anonymous

    is this honestly newsworthy..

    March 31, 2010 10:07 am at 10:07 am |
  24. An Independent

    A politician, particularly a Republican, saying one thing and doing just the opposite is unfortunately not new and not even surprising any more.

    March 31, 2010 10:07 am at 10:07 am |
  25. The Independent View

    She's a Republican politician ... did we really expect her to keep her word?

    March 31, 2010 10:19 am at 10:19 am |
  26. Why cant the antichrist be a woman?

    The question should be, how many bags full of special interest money can this woman carry?

    March 31, 2010 10:25 am at 10:25 am |
  27. Adalbert

    It is difficult to give up an easy job and the power that goes with it.

    March 31, 2010 10:26 am at 10:26 am |
  28. Chuck Anaheim, Ca

    Typical republicant flip flop.

    March 31, 2010 10:26 am at 10:26 am |
  29. Dems NEED the poor

    ROGER WILLIAMS is going to replace her in 2012 and he is AWESOME!!!

    March 31, 2010 10:26 am at 10:26 am |
  30. j

    It figures she'd find a way to back out on her promise.

    March 31, 2010 10:28 am at 10:28 am |
  31. Hawk in texas

    Here we go again. when she was first elected she was going to only serve two terms. she lied then and here she is lying again. she and john cornyn are the two sorriest senators that texas has ever had. she was supposed tried for lying about donations but got away with it because of a technicality. she should have been sent to prision. texans lets turn texas blue.

    March 31, 2010 10:28 am at 10:28 am |
  32. brandonb

    a politician going back on a promise...this isn't news.

    March 31, 2010 10:29 am at 10:29 am |
  33. Michael in Houston

    Dont worry Hutchinson.....we never believe a word that comes out of your mouth anyways.

    March 31, 2010 10:30 am at 10:30 am |
  34. mikee says

    typical GOP hypocrisy....heck...I am not sure she would have stepped down even if she had won as governor.....would have taken a Supreme Court ruling to do that

    March 31, 2010 10:30 am at 10:30 am |
  35. robert

    Gee, you mean another politician lied to get elected and when it didn't work went back on her word? I am shocked. It is a good thing we have Republicans to keep instructing us on good moral values and ethics. Oh wait...

    March 31, 2010 10:31 am at 10:31 am |
  36. Wolf Blinzer

    Arlo Spector is senile and should retire

    March 31, 2010 10:34 am at 10:34 am |
  37. Texas Doc

    "You can't hold me responsible for something I said" = typical GOP. You think she would have left the country after after losing to an idiot like Perry. Perry makes Bush look like Albert Einstein.

    March 31, 2010 10:37 am at 10:37 am |
  38. U.S. Common Sense

    I think, if she wants to retain any credibility, she should step down. She can always run for re-election, and the Texas Gov will most likely appoint a Republican to finish her term, so there wouldn't be a change in the balance of power.

    March 31, 2010 10:41 am at 10:41 am |
  39. bruce lee

    republicans just like them TO LIE

    March 31, 2010 10:50 am at 10:50 am |
  40. d

    Wow a LYING repulickcan.
    What a suprise!

    March 31, 2010 10:50 am at 10:50 am |
  41. Luke Brown

    Good for her. She has done a good job.

    It's not her fault the right-wing whackos have taken over the GOP in her state.

    March 31, 2010 10:52 am at 10:52 am |
  42. Gil Oberdas

    Just more republican hipocracy and lies! These are the nut cases that want you to vote them in and then lie to you!

    March 31, 2010 10:52 am at 10:52 am |
  43. Larry

    Aww, go ahead and retire Kay. You Republicans never do what you say you're going to do.

    March 31, 2010 10:52 am at 10:52 am |
  44. JOHN

    But she promised....

    March 31, 2010 10:54 am at 10:54 am |
  45. Pingpaul

    It should be no surprise to anyone who follows Senator Hutchinson if she confirms this. Senator Hutchinson has consistently acted in her own interest since her arrival in the Senate.

    March 31, 2010 11:00 am at 11:00 am |
  46. Jeff

    Senator Hutchison promised us Texans that she wouldn't run for re-election after her 2000 win. But she broke that promise. Is anyone surprised she isn't a woman of her word this time either? Power is intoxicating and hard to let go of.

    March 31, 2010 11:00 am at 11:00 am |
  47. Paul V

    "she pledged during the gubernatorial primary that she would leave the Senate. "

    Well, don't go lying now. Keep your word!

    March 31, 2010 11:06 am at 11:06 am |
  48. I voted for Obama and proud of it in Oregon

    they are afraid that if the set comes up for someone to run against a republican they will loose the senate set to a democrat and they would . america is waking up to the lies from republicans

    March 31, 2010 11:06 am at 11:06 am |
  49. Haze

    Good call. We need her there and the only people that want her to retire are the liberals in and out of state. One more voice of reason is helpful.

    March 31, 2010 11:06 am at 11:06 am |