Jockeying To Replace Kay Bailey Hutchison

The mainstream media, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, publishes what will likely be one of five dozen stories between now and next spring about who is and isn’t jockeying to replace U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison when she retires–whether that is early to run for governor, after a run for governor, or when her term expires in 2012.

And, naturally, the Star-Telegram comes up with the same names we’ve been mentioning on Capitol Annex for a year or more: Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-Dallas) and Congesswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth) along with State Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) and Lt. Governor David Dewhust. The only new name on the list is Congressman Joe Barton (R-Arlington).

The Star-Telegram notes:

In the U.S. House, Reps. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, and Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, are forgoing GOP leadership runs in November to position themselves for a possible Senate race. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Arlington, is also making plans.

[...]

Granger, the vice-chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, announced Wednesday that not only would she not try for the newly open conference chairmanship in mid-November leadership elections but that she would give up her current leadership position.

“I will continue to be active in our conference, but I will not seek a second term as vice chair,” said Granger. “I will continue my efforts to bring our party’s message to women across the country, and I will focus on my district and my committee work.”

While Granger is likely to move up to be the “ranking” Republican on a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee in the new Congress in January, she is clearly thinking about the prospect of a Senate move.

“It’s something that she is considering,” said Steve Dutton, Granger’s spokesman. “She hasn’t made a decision one way or another. She’s been approached.”

Barton, the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, ran for the Senate in 1993 in the special election called after Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, D-Texas, was named President Clinton’s treasury secretary. Hutchison won that election.

“If an open seat presents itself, it is definitely something he would seriously consider,” said Barton spokesman Sean Brown.

And congressional insiders say Hensarling’s surprise decision this week not to seek the GOP conference chair — which would give him a national bully pulpit — points to Senate aspirations. Hensarling previously worked for then-Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas.

There are other politicians in the mix, including former comptroller David Sharp, a Democrat; state Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano; and Lt. Gov. Dave Dewhurst, a Republican.

And, let’s not forget Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones, another Republican. As a former interior decorator, I’m sure she’s already “measuring the drapes,” so to speak. More on Hensarling here. More on Ames Jones here.