You can add Rep. Joe L. Barton to the long list of Texas officeholders who might run for the Senate seat Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison will resign this fall.
Joe L. Barton (CQ/Scott J. Ferrell)
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a Barton spokesman says the congressman is thinking about running and "believes serving the entire state of Texas as their next senator would be an honor."
There's another compelling reason why Barton and other Texas officeholders are weighing a Senate bid: they won't have to surrender their current offices if they ran for Hutchison's seat.
That's because Texas has unusual election laws regarding the scheduling of a special election following a senator's resignation. In most states, an appointed senator serves until a special election is held in November of an even-numbered year (In New York, Democratic Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney would have had to forgo re-election to the House to challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in a primary, a scenario she rejected).
But Texas law calls for speedy special elections, and Hutchison's appointed successor would serve only through next May, at the latest. (The law does grant Republican Gov. Rick Perry emergency powers to schedule an earlier election).
Barton ran for the Senate in 1993, early in his fifth House term, following the resignation of Democrat Lloyd Bentsen to become President Bill Clinton's first Treasury Secretary. He finished third in a single-ballot contest that included 24 candidates of all parties, including eventual winner Hutchison.
Barton didn't have to surrender his 6th District House seat, which he won easily again in 1994 and in seven more re-election campaigns.
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Comments
What is Hutchison doing? Has she lost it? I will immediately send support to Rick Perry. Is it her ego or is she just not happy with being a Senator? She's mudding up the water when it doesn't need to be. Perry is an excellent Gov. The only thing she is doing is giving the Dems a small chance of taking a Red state. VA now has 2 dems used to be 2 gop, PA used to be 2 GOP now 2 Dems, OH, ND, CO, the list goes on and on. Stop eating our own.
Posted by: dante805
| August 11, 2009 8:03 AM
I don't understand Kay's reasoning either. She is a good Senator, in my opinion, a bit more moderate than Cornyn and has helped Houston with its light rail efforts.
Perry is okay, although he panders to the Republican base far too much for my taste. However, in his everyday governing he is competent.
I guess what I am saying is, "If it ain't broke don't fix it."
Posted by: Prisilla
| August 11, 2009 12:43 PM
Right next door in the state of Arkansas we have the same thing haoppening, except both parties either do not listen or are incompetent. The state GOP has not provided a serious candidate for US Senate. They are all mixed up in issues that don’t make sense and focused on battling the Democrats. They are very uptight at the young upstart Trevor Drown, who is gaining a lot of attention out in the rural areas among the people. He is running as an independent and the right wing is accusing him of splitting the party. Well the State GOP gave up their right to represent the conservative voice, when they failed to provide a candidate against Senator Pryor and three Democratic members of Congress. Not one Republican ran against them. The same thing happens at the state level. There are some seats where a Democrat have run opposed for 20 plus years. This year no one has stepped up to take on the Governor. The State GOP is in jeopardy of losing their right to be on the ballot in 2012. Everyone will have to get signatures. I like Trevor, I have heard him speak, he is an Afghan War Vet and he is a down to earth guy. He has a family values, goes to church and he listens to what people have to say. He has a leadership philosophy of daring to make a difference and he could care less about special interest groups or party politics. He wants to solve problems, build bridges and do what is right for the people of Arkansas. As an senior worried about the Federal government and what the current administration is planning, I will tell you I and many of my friends will be getting the 10,000 signatures it will take to get him on the ballot and then voting for him in the next election.
Posted by: ArkieMom
| August 13, 2009 1:54 AM
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