Hutchison gives up her leadership post

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison told her Republican colleagues Thursday that she will not run for a leadership post next Congress, another sign she may resign her Senate seat to pursue a bid for Texas governor.

{mosads}Hutchison's decision not to run for the chairmanship of the Republican Policy Committee opens up the No. 4 spot in Senate leadership next Congress. Sen. John Cornyn, also from Texas, would be next in line for that position if he wins reelection in November.

Hutchison is pursuing a run for governor in 2010 and has said she may resign her Senate seat in 2009 to pursue the bid. She made the announcement at an internal conference meeting Thursday, aides said.

“I have been honored to serve in the leadership for eight years, and have especially enjoyed shaping our policy positions in my current role,” Hutchison said in a statement. “However, it is in the best interests of the conference to elect a new Policy Committee chairman who can commit full attention throughout the next Congress to Policy Committee responsibilities.”