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Hutchison announces intentions for gubernatorial campaign
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison
By Kim Nguyen, Staff Writer
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison was at the Dallas County Republican Party headquarters Monday to announce her plans to run for Texas governor.
“Today, I am closing the exploratory committee and opening the first phase of my campaign for Governor of Texas,” Hutchison said. “I want to rejuvenate [the state] through grassroots. I am so proud to be fighting for Texas values, make sure our voice is heard and Texas values are heard. I am proud to have received the depth and width of support that we ought to have for governor of Texas.”
A formal announcement of her gubernatorial campaign will take place in August.
Perry is seeking his third full term as Governor of Texas after eking out a win with 40 percent of the vote in the 2006 election.
The announcement on Monday also provided supporters a glimpse of the senator’s funding status and how much she has raised since the beginning of the year. Hutchison said between January and June, she has raised $5 million. Now supporters from around the state have pledged more than $6.7 million in contributions.
“Ninety-eight percent of my support comes from Texas and we have $12.5 million cash on hand,” she said. “This is a huge victory. In six months, no candidate in Texas has raised that much except George W. Bush when he ran for governor.”
Hutchison recently revealed that she has the support of more than 6,500 constituents from across Texas, saying nearly 80 percent of donations came from those giving $500 or less.
Skeptics don’t believe Hutchison doesn’t have enough oomph to help her through the 2010 elections. Over the weekend, Perry announced he had raised more than $4.2 million in just nine days in June, making his total campaign funds $9.3 million.
Hutchison dismissed claims that Perry has garnered more support more quickly, saying the campaign has only just begun and that there are numerous incorrect poll results floating around.
“I know there will be polls like that, that say I am behind,” she said. “But I know I am ahead because I will win because I have the support of Texans who want change. I am running for governor because I want results, not politics.”
Hutchison briefly described some of the challenges that she will face as Texas governor, including reducing the highest property tax rates in America; reinforcing education and decrease the dropout rate; support the protection of private property rights; transportation reform; decreasing utility and insurance rates; and easier access to healthcare.
“Texas has always been the greatest state in the country to make a living and raise a family. But on key challenges like transportation planning, property taxes, education, private property rights, utility rates, insurance rates and health care; we need results, not politics,” she said. “I'm running for Governor because I love Texas enough to know we can do better.”
Fred Moses, Collin County Republican Party chairman, thinks Hutchison’s announcement is good news and hopes it will galvanize the GOP.
“I think it will be a very spirited governor’s contest with her as a candidate,” he said. “It will be a very interesting race with two heavyweights in the Republican party.”
To contribute to the Kay Bailey Hutchison campaign, visit http://texans.forkay.com
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Timmy Timnojig wrote on Jul 15, 2009 7:10 AM:
" Kay Bailey Hutchison sounds like she wants to be the Texas Obama. Most Texans I know don't want change, they want to keep our prowess alive. Perry, love him or hate him, has guided the state well and made tough decisons that have created prosperity and liberty for Texans. "
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