Leppert Says He Will File Paperwork For U.S. Senate Run

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - First, Tom Leppert made the January announcement that he would not seek a second term as Mayor of Dallas. Just two days ago he officially gave the City notice that he would be resigning.

Friday, on his last day with the city, Leppert announced that he would file paperwork to run for U.S. Senate, hoping to replace GOP U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Leppert announced he wouldn't seek re-election the week after Hutchison announced she would not run for re-election in 2012.

Leppert, a retired construction company executive, is resigning four months shy of his term's end.

Rumors had long circulated that Leppert, who was elected in 2007, had political aspirations beyond Dallas City Hall.

After announcing his decision not to run again Leppert would only say that he had accomplished all of the goals he had set out to do back when he won the Dallas Mayor's race and that he wasn't prepared to discuss his future plans. "There will be good possibilities and good opportunities to pursue in the future and I hope I can continue to add value to our community, to our state and to our nation", Leppert said back in January.

Among Leppert's likely opponents for Hutchison's senate seat – Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.

Meanwhile, Dallas voters will elect a new mayor May 14. At Midnight on Friday, Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway will become the interim Dallas mayor until a new mayor is sworn in June.

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert spoke about his future plans on 1080 KRLD: