[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/05/14/art.hutchison.gi.jpg caption="Hutchison is mulling a run for governor."](CNN) - National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn said Thursday he expects fellow Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison will resign her seat "this fall sometime" to focus on a run for governor, according to the Houston Chronicle.
That would set up a special election in the spring of 2010 that could prove to be a headache for Republicans as they struggle to keep Democrats from getting a filibuster-proof 60 votes in the Senate.
"We certainly can't afford to lose that [Hutchison] seat," he said.
Hutchison has yet to formally announce she will challenge Gov. Rick Perry for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. But the third-term senator announced an exploratory committee in December, and already has a Web site and staff in place, ready for a primary campaign.
Several Texas Democrats are already gearing up for a hypothetical special election to replace Hutchinson. That list includes Houston Mayor Bill White, who has raised more than $2 million for the race.
LOL..... just LOL!
On behalf of Progressives everywhere, I'd like to offer my very best wishes to Ms. Hutchinson. She's a classy dame. I hope she wins the gubernatorial race! Good Luck!!
Kay has my vote for Texas governor
Go Bill White Go! Best pick for Texas senatorial run yet!
The seat is lost.
Mayor Bill White is the man for governor and has the experienced background to prove. Kay Baily Hutchinson couldn't make it in Washington and the staff left her high and dry, we don't need a person who can't work with others sitting in the governor's office.
What a great sight..two Texans, each claiming to have perfect hair, engaging in a conservative Civil War to claim the mantle of Governor, or President, of Texas. Have they cleared this with Chuck Norris?
She will make a great governor just as she has been a great senator. No worries, the republicans will keep her senate seat in Texas.
As long as Perry and his corruption are gone, I'm happy
Even as a Democrat, I have always felt that Kay has always been a very fair-minded, smart, very capable lady. She'd be a great governor for the state of Texas and I am sure Texans will welcome her with open arms. She is one of the few good Republicans around. I hope she continues her success.
Good – I hope the Dem's get that seat too!
Just what this country needs, more special elections that will drag on forever and ultimately be decided by the courts! Democracy in action! YAY!
John Cornyn must be the "anointed one" the GOP expects to step up to a leadership role. He makes a nice public appearance... but it ends there. He has been a DO NOTHING puppet Senator for Texas ever since he took office. I had high hopes for him, but he has been a total disappointment IMO.
Kay hasn't exactly impressed me as a Senator either. I know her personally, and while she's a great lady, she hasn't been much of a Senator. BUT, she would probably be a better Governor than that nitwit we've got sitting in the Governor's office right now.
There is virtually no chance that a democrat could win a senate seat in Texas. But, I'll do what I can to try to get my district to vote Democratic.
Hutchinson is a RINO, nowhere near in the class of Perry.
Good, I hope she does, another seat for the Democrats.
Go ahead resign that way we will be rid of another Republican. Because the new Governor of Texas will be a Democrat.
It will be good to have this Texas hag out of the Senate. Let's hope her successor is a Democrat.
Didn't Texas just secede from the United States?
"That would set up a special election in the spring of 2010 that could prove to be a headache for Republicans as they struggle to keep Democrats from getting a filibuster-proof 60 votes in the Senate."
Have all the GOP Leadership been dropped on their heads as babies or what?
John Cornyn is proving to be another ERIC CANTOR TWIN. This guy is so delusional that you just have to shake your head at all this GOP HOGWASH!!!
The GOP party is "shaking in their boots". Their kicking folks out of the party rather than getting them to stay AND they wonder what the Democrats will get their 60 seats in the Senate? Really?
Wow....
I would hate to loose her representation in the Senate – I think she does Texas more good there than in Austin.
KBH is a great Senator and will make a fine Governfor for the Great State of Texas!
I bet senate Republicans do not relish the thought of a democrat in the Senate from the Lone Star State. They had better send M. Steele in to talk some sense to her! Opps, don't do that because after the meeting, she'd change parties too.
Good luck Sen. Hutchinson!!!!!!!!
Uh-oh!! This does not bode well for the NO team.