Free Republic

Hutchison holds tense meeting with Perry supporters in El Paso EL PASO (AP) — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison reacted angrily recently after several El Paso business leaders suggested that she not challenge Gov. Rick Perry in 2006 because their large campaign contributions to state leaders have increased the city's influence in Austin. During the private luncheon last week, Hutchison, R-Texas, was asked to instead run for re-election for the Senate. She responded by denouncing the role large contributions play in state government, some of those attending said. The meeting was organized as a briefing by the senator on various...

Spending bill could aid Hutchison run Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's possible gubernatorial bid could get a $6.7 million campaign boost if a provision tucked into a spending bill by congressional negotiators becomes law. The provision reverses a Federal Election Commission interpretation that barred members of Congress from transferring federal campaign funds to a state race. The new language, expected to remain intact after Congress completes work on the bill, would allow Hutchison to spend $6.7 million she has raised for a possible Senate re-election campaign on a possible race against Gov. Rick Perry in...

Sen. Hutchison lays out stance on abortion issue before GOP SAN ANTONIO (AP) — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Republican considered to be a potential candidate for Texas governor in 2006, said Saturday she supports a woman's right to choose to have an abortion before a fetus is viable outside of the womb. Hutchison, speaking with news reporters after her speech to the Republican state convention, said her stance on abortion has remained consistent through the years. "My position is I think there can be an ability for a woman, until viability, to make a choice," she said, adding...