Kay Bailey Hutchison To Run For GOP Conference Chair

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) will run for Senate Republican Conference chair, seeking to replace Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), who wants to move up to minority whip following the expected retirement of Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), according to GOP insiders.

Hutchison "is already making calls to other Republicans seeking their support," said a GOP source close to the issue.

The Texas Republican, though, wants to keep her position as Republican Policy Committee chair if she does not win elevation to Conference chair, said the source. When Senate Republicans vote for their new leaders, Conference will be voted on before Policy, providing Hutchison with an opportunity to run for Policy if she loses out on the Conference chair role. No date has been set for that vote yet.

Hutchison may face a challenge from Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.) or Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), said GOP aides. All four  are interested in a leadership position, and Alexander was narrowly defeated by Lott for the minority whip post at the start of this Congress.

Update - A source close to Thune confirmed he is "interested in either Conference or Policy," but he has not formally entered the race for either post. "He is making calls, sounding people out," said the source of Thune.