Kay Bailey Hutchison to stay in the Senate

[sabra]

Source: WP

Texas Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has gone back on her pledge to resign her seat and instead serve out the remaining two years of her term.

"It is clear to me that the stakes in our nation's capitol have never been higher," said Hutchison at a press conference announcing her decision. "President Obama's victory on health care legislation has emboldened those who want an even bigger and more intrusive federal government."

The move, which had long been expected, means that there will be no special election to replace her -- robbing several aspiring Republican candidates as well as former state Comptroller John Sharp (D) of a chance to join the Senate in the near term.

National Republicans had prepared for the possibility of a special election and expressed confidence that they hold the seat but it almost certainly would have drained campaign cash from their coffers in advance of November's midterm elections.

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