One already out of Senate race

UPDATE: Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said this morning she has decided to stay in the U.S. senate for the remainder of her term.

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As U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison prepares to announce during a 10 a.m. news conference today in San Antonio whether she stays or goes from the Senate, one Texan who considered running for the seat has already pulled out of the race.

State Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, formally withdrew her candidacy for the 2012 race to fill Hutchison's senate seat.

"The political landscape of American government has dramatically shifted since I announced my U.S. Senate candidacy almost 21 months ago," said Shapiro, who formed an exploratory committee to determine whether she should run.

She said state government is where her focus needs to be.

"To protect Texas taxpayers, I firmly believe we now need an all-hands-on-deck commitment by our state legislature," Shapiro said.

-- Anna M. Tinsley

Comments

[Brian]

She probably knows that not only is KBH not quitting, she'll be running for re-election.

[Ed Kless]

Just a note to let your readers know that Senator Shapiro will face a challenger in November. My name is Ed Kless and I am running as a Libertarian in Texas Senate District 8. I hope you will take some time to look at my campaign site at http://electkless.com

Thanks.