WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, enjoys a 72 percent approval rating in a new independent poll, making her the most popular politician in Texas.
Her strong numbers are yet another reason for GOP Gov. Rick Perry to be concerned. Hutchison is considering a bid for the 2006 gubernatorial nomination and, with Perry's job approval rating at 51 percent in the Scripps Research Center poll, she would be a formidable opponent.
Should Hutchison run for governor, it would open up a GOP free-for-all for her seat -- unless Perry abandons his re-election plans to run for Senate, a move the would likely lead Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and U.S. Rep, Henry Bonilla, R-Texas, to reconsider plans of their own to run.
Democrats considering the race include former Dallas Mayor and unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidate Ron Kirk and former state Comptroller John Sharp.
The poll of 1,000 Texas adults was conducted from Jan. 27 to Feb. 14 and has a 3 percentage point margin of error.
