Kay Bailey Hutchison to complete term

SAN ANTONIO, March 31 (UPI) -- Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said Wednesday she will stay in the Senate to fight "those who want an even bigger and more intrusive federal government."

"For family reasons, I had planned to begin making a transition home to Texas this spring," Hutchison said in an event in San Antonio. "But it is clear to me that the stakes in our nation's capitol have never been higher. President (Barack) Obama's victory on health care legislation has emboldened those who want an even bigger and more intrusive federal government."

Calling her decision difficult, Hutchison said, "after much deliberation, I have decided to complete my term."

Hutchison had considered resigning her seat before the end of her term in 2012. She ran an unsuccessful bid to be the Republican nominee for governor, losing to incumbent Rick Perry.

Since the Texas primary in March, Hutchison said has heard from many constituents and colleagues, urging her to finish her term. She said she also received a letter signed by all Republican members of the Texas congressional delegation that said, "if you will stay and fight, we will fight alongside you."

She said she looked forward to working with the Texas congressional delegation "to repeal and replace President Obama's massive health bill, to stop cap and trade legislation and to cut the deficit the president is building that is putting our economy in peril."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, joined Hutchison in San Antonio for her announcement.