Sen. Hutchison Will Not Run For Re-Election

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) announced Thursday that, after 17 years as a member of the United States Congress, she would not be running for re-election in 2012. The announcement came well in advance, Hutchison said, in order to give Texans "ample time" to find a successor.

In a press release, Hutchison told Texans that her motivation would not let up as her Congressional career nears its end. "In the next two years, you can be assured that I will pursue my duties, and my responsibilities to our state and people, with the same vigor that I have employed during my Senate service," Hutchison said.

Hutchison began her career as a Senator in 1993, after serving as Texas State Treasurer and a member of the Texas House of Representatives.

When Hutchison's current term ends, she will have served for Texas on the U.S. Senate for 19 years. "I intended to leave this office long before now, but I was persuaded to continue in order to avoid disadvantage to our state," Hutchison said in the press release. "I felt it would be wrong to leave the Senate during such a critical period."

She spoke with CBS 11's Jack Fink, and says her legislation ending the marriage penalty tax will be one of her legacies.  "My legislation equalized that and I'm very proud of that."

But she says her proudest accomplishment will be getting congress to end the Wright Amendment, allowing longer flights out of Dallas Love Field.  The repeal will take effect in 2014.

Hutchison has been involved in government spending, economic and health care battles. "I will continue that fight until the end of my term in 2012," Hutchison said.

The Senator mentioned that, after her term ends, she plans to live "full-time" in Texas with her family, while continuing to work for state interests. Hutchison currently resides in Dallas.