Posted on 09/02/2003 3:34:39 PM PDT by Dog Gone
AUSTIN - Amid speculation that two fellow Republican office holders might decide to run against him, Gov. Rick Perry brushed aside questions Tuesday about whether he's bracing for a GOP challenge in 2006.
The two other Republicans who have been mentioned as possible Perry opponents are U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn.
Perry, after casting his early ballot in the upcoming constitutional amendments election, spoke with news reporters and said he's only focusing on his current job, not a Republican primary nearly three years away.
"There is so much work to be done, and those that would like to distract from that and talk about primaries, that's their business," Perry said.
The weekly newspaper Park Cities People in Dallas last week published an editorial stating that if Perry decides to call another special session on congressional redistricting that Texas should elect another governor next time. The editorial said Hutchison has served the state with "honor and distinction" and said some Republicans view her as a potential opponent for Perry. "Kay Bailey Hutchison, come home," the editorial said.
Perry said of Hutchison, "I think the senator is doing a great job as the senior senator for the state of Texas and I have an idea that we need that type of leadership in Washington, D.C."
Hutchison's office had no immediate comment on her political plans for 2006 or on Perry's remarks.
Speculation also has been mounting about whether Strayhorn intends to run for higher office, possibly governor, in 2006.
She has been building a campaign war chest and has had some clashes with Perry, including one last week when she warned that Texas taxpayers will shoulder $2.7 billion of the new two-year state budget in higher fees and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Strayhorn isn't ruling out a run for another office but is concentrating on serving as comptroller right now, said her spokesman, Mark Sanders.
"The comptroller loves being comptroller. She spends 24-7 being comptroller. 2006 is a long way off, but I can tell you that the comptroller never says never to people who are asking her to continue to serve where she can make a positive difference," Sanders said.
On Tuesday, Strayhorn announced she has rehired Sanders, a former aide who in 2002 served as spokesman for Democrat Tony Sanchez in his unsuccessful race for governor against Perry. During that race, Sanders criticized Perry regularly on behalf of Sanchez.
Perry said he doesn't know if Strayhorn is trying to get the next Republican gubernatorial primary under way.
"It is way early to be talking about what may or may not occur in the spring of what, 2006? I have more important issues, like a special session, like dealing with trauma funding, like dealing with transportation funding that we need to be doing right now," he said.
Hiring Tony Sanchez's spokesman is not a good sign.
Besides, Rick Perry's done a fine job.
I'm happy to see the party's recruiting some good black and Hispanic candidates; Tony Garza, Victor Carrillo, and Michael Williams could all go places. Maybe when some of these straight ticket Dems see qualified Pubs of all races in office they'll think a little more about where their interests really lie.
Texas is ahead of the curve in this respect; frankly, we haven't had a chance to see this work for Republicans. Ohio is the closest, having statewide blacks in two high-profile offices.
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