Yes, it’s early to worry about this, since the election isn’t until 2012. But everyone assumes incumbent Kay Bailey Hutchison will resign her seat to run for governor in 2010, and the potential candidates are already lining up — counting on a special election if Hutchison does quit. So let’s take a look:
• State Sen. Florence Shapiro says she is going to form an exploratory committee, chaired by no less than Roger Staubach, which allow her to raise money for the race. Advantages: Support from her state senate colleagues (or so says Dallas’ Only Daily Newspaper). Disadvantages: Who knows who she is outside of Plano?
• Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. You read it here first. Mayor Park Cities wants to be a senator so badly that it almost hurts to watch him maneuver for the job. Advantages: Support of various big-money types in Dallas. Disadvantages: Being mayor of Dallas has been a political dead-end since Wes Wise in 1976, a popular mayor who was thrashed in the Democratic primary when he ran for the U.S. House.
• U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions. Sessions, a six-term congressman who represents the 32nd district (which includes Lakewood, Preston Hollow and parts of Lake Highlands and North Dallas), has been biding his time, waiting for an opening. In any other election, this would be it. Advantages: Loyal party follower. Disadvantages: All those Dallas-area candidates could cancel each other out.
• Former Texas secretary of state Roger Williams. He resigned last summer to work for the GOP’s 2008 campaign. Advantages: Apparently, he is wealthy enough to pay for his own Senate campaign. Disadvantages: If Texas Republicans stumble this fall, Williams may stumble, too.
• Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Most of the skinny I’ve seen says he wants to run for governor in 2010, but may be blocked by Hutchison. Advantages: Probably the best name recognition of any potential candidate. Disadvantages: Lieutenant governor is not usually a springboard to success.
