Texas Senate Background

TEXAS-OPEN, HUTCHISON(R) RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR

2000 Result: Hutchison wins 65%-32%.
2006 Result: Hutchison wins 62%-36%.

The first question here is whether or not this actually will even be held and also when-it will only be held if Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) is elected Governor of Texas next year (which looks like a fairly good bet at this point). And although Democrats haven't won a Senate race here since 1988, they have already fielded two strong candidates into this race: Houston Mayor Bill White and Former Comptroller John Sharp. The Republican field is very crowded, at this point, which could pose a bit of problem for the Republicans in an open primary, with candidates including Attorney General Greg Abbott, State Sen. Florence Shaprio, Railroad Commissioners Elizabeth Ames Jones and Michael Williams, and former Secretary Of State Roger Williams. It's hard not to give the Republicans the early edge in Texas, but the uncertainity of a Special Election, the strength of the Democratic candidates, and the crowded Republican field makes this far from a done deal.

Initial Outlook: SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE FOR THE REPUBLICANS.