Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison could be the first primary casualty of 2012.
The Texas Republican, after years of back and forth over whether she will or won’t retire, will have to make a decision soon about 2012. Waiting in the wings are a slate of Republicans who have already spent two years eyeing the race, including some who are prepared to run against her even if she seeks reelection.
Hutchison was on the wrong end of a bruising, lopsided primary loss in March to Gov. Rick Perry (R) in which she saw her sterling public image take a big hit. Perry, who began the race as an underdog in the minds of many, nailed Hutchison over her vote for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) bailout and her ties to Washington. He wound up beating her by more than 20 points.
Before, during and after Hutchison’s primary loss, she engaged in an extended will-she-or-won’t-she-leave-the-Senate internal debate that has tried the patience of Texas Republicans and, some would argue, left her as damaged good for another political campaign.
Full Story: The Fix – Kay Bailey Hutchison weighs reelection, could face real primary