Despite pledge, senator will not retire
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/08/17/art.kay0817.gi.jpg caption="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
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The question should be, how many bags full of special interest money can this woman carry?
It is difficult to give up an easy job and the power that goes with it.
Typical republicant flip flop.
ROGER WILLIAMS is going to replace her in 2012 and he is AWESOME!!!
It figures she'd find a way to back out on her promise.
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.
a politician going back on a promise...this isn't news.
Dont worry Hutchinson.....we never believe a word that comes out of your mouth anyways.
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
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...
Arlo Spector is senile and should retire
"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.
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.
republicans just like them TO LIE
Wow a LYING repulickcan.
What a suprise!
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.
Just more republican hipocracy and lies! These are the nut cases that want you to vote them in and then lie to you!
Aww, go ahead and retire Kay. You Republicans never do what you say you're going to do.
But she promised....
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.
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.
"she pledged during the gubernatorial primary that she would leave the Senate. "
Well, don't go lying now. Keep your word!
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
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.