It’s official — my favorite senator is running for Governor of Texas.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m not saying slick Rick is a really bad guy (besides his status as an Aggie, but I won’t hold that against him). I just don’t think he’s done much for Texas.

Rick Perry was elected Lt. Governor when George W. Bush was elected Governor, you might recall (or not, if you aren’t from Texas). He inherited the job of Governor when Bush was elected President not long thereafter, and then ran on his own and won (with token opposition from the Democratic candidate, who didn’t stand a chance in Texas).

First, a little about Kay Bailey Hutchison:

KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
U.S. SENATOR, TEXAS
BIOGRAPHY
· Senior Senator from Texas, serving third full term in the U.S. Senate
· Highest vote getter in the history of the State of Texas, with more than 4 million votes in 2000
· Highest Ranking Woman in Congress
· First woman elected to the Senate from Texas, 1993 (special election)
· First Republican woman elected to the Texas State Legislature
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS RANK-RATING
American Conservative Union – Lifetime Rating 90%
** Higher than Sens. McConnell (89.7%), Thune (87%),Hatch (89.9%), McCain (82.3%), Grassley (83%),
Martinez (90%), Isakson (89%)
National Rifle Association – Current Rating A+
** D.C. v. Heller - Lead sponsor of Amicus Brief signed by Vice President and bipartisan majorities in both Chambers of Congress
U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Pro-Business Rating 95%
Americans for Tax Reform – 110th Congress 95%
** Higher than Sens. McCain (70%), Gregg (90%), Corker (90%), Domenici (90%), Ensign (85%), Coburn (85%), Thune (90%), Alexander (90%)
National Right to Life – Lifetime 94%
** Higher than Sens. McCain (73%), Alexander (90%)
National Criminal Justice Association – 2005 rating 87%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS RANK-RATING
NARAL Pro Choice America – 2007 rating 0%
AFL-CIO – Lifetime “right” voting record 11%
League of Conservation Voters – Lifetime Ratings 4%

Now that you know a little bit about KBH, here is her announcement yesterday:

Today, I am filing an exploratory committee so I can begin the process of organizing a campaign for Governor of Texas. I am not yet a candidate, but Texas law requires this first, important step before an announcement can be made.

I am transferring $1 million from my Federal account to this new state exploratory committee and will take further steps as they become appropriate.

Right now, there are a lot of Texans – friends, community and business leaders, Republicans, Democrats, Independents and people who’ve never been in politics – that I want to talk to before becoming a formal candidate.

While Texas is faring somewhat better economically than many other states, a positive future is not guaranteed. It will take leaders who look ahead to meet the economic and budgetary challenges that are coming.

Texans deserve a Governor who, in the context of sound budgetary policies and low taxes, works for quality schools and universities, access to health care for our families, communities safe from crime and drugs, and a government that listens and responds to them.

There’s too much bitterness, too much anger, too little trust, too little consensus and too much infighting. And the tone comes from the top. Texans are looking for leadership and results.

I am humbled by the number of hard working Texans, including my friend Dick Armey, who have asked me to run for Governor in our state that I love so dearly. And I am honored to serve Texas in the United State Senate, protecting our state’s interests and standing for our values and vision. Texans understand I put Texas first and I will continue to do so while I explore and prepare for a race for Governor of Texas.

So that’s the official word from KBH. There’s more at her website, www.TexansforKay.com, and I urge all Texans to get behind this remarkable woman and help make her our next Governor. I can even see her making a bid for the White House one day, if she so chooses (though she has never indicated that, she was on the short list as a VP selection for John McCain). Right now, of course, the goal is to get her elected as Texas Governor.

So what about Rick Perry, you might ask? Personally, I don’t think he’s done a lot for Texas. My opinion of him went up slightly during the hurricanes, as he was quick to act, but he is now critical of KBH for voting in favor of the bailout while begging for Federal money himself, and griping about FEMA efforts. Personally, the second he started railing about FEMA he sounded like a whiner to me. His deals with the toll roads have not been exactly above board either. I’m not going to slam Perry, but I do feel strongly that KBH is the better candidate. In fact, I’ve never personally voted for Perry, while I’ve always voted for Kay Bailey Hutchison. Maybe it’s a gut instinct, but she is, to me, honest, sincere, and on a personal level I’ve seen her pro-military stance. At the same time, my nickname for Rick Perry has always been “slick Rick” because I just don’t feel comfortable with the guy. Feel free to disagree.

Trust me, I know there are worse governors out there, and I’m glad Texas has one as competent as we do. I just think we can do better, and now is the time truly turn Texas around. So I fully endorse the candidacy of Kay Bailey Hutchison for Texas Governor (for whatever that’s worth).