Texas state senator ponders U.S. senate

HOUSTON, May 27 (UPI) -- Houston Republican state Sen. Dan Patrick said Friday he'll explore whether to run for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Hutchison, who retracted her promise not to serve more than two terms as senator, said she will serve out a third term and leave her seat in 2012.

Patrick is said to be one of the most conservative members of the Texas Senate and uses a talk show to proselytize his Christian viewpoint.

"Dan uses biblical principles whenever possible to draw attention to the meaning of a news event or to put a news event in perspective. For the last decade, Dan has stated on his bio that his main goal in life is to expand God's Kingdom on earth," Patrick's Web site notes.

Patrick made the announcement about the exploratory committee he's forming about his chances to run and win the Senate seat on Laura Ingraham's talk radio show.

"Is there support? Can I raise the money? If so, I'll make the decision," Patrick said on the show.

If he runs, Patrick's rival will be Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, a potential adversary with whom there is no love lost, the Dallas Morning News reported.

Patrick is not the same Dan Patrick who hosts a sports radio talk show.