The Collin County Observer™

Florence Shapiro weighs run for U.S. Senate

Thursday, May 8, 2008
By WAYNE SLATER / The Dallas Morning News


AUSTIN -- State Sen. Florence Shapiro of Dallas is considering setting up an exploratory committee to run for the U.S. Senate in anticipation of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison running for governor.

Mrs. Shapiro was not available for comment but her political consultant, Bryan Eppstein, said people around the state are urging the Dallas Republican to seek the Senate if Mrs. Hutchison resigns or retires. “Right now, she’s strongly considering it,” said Mr. Eppstein.

He noted that a year ago, former Dallas Cowboy quarterback Roger Staubach was among those touting the idea and volunteered to help if Mrs. Shapiro ran for an open Senate seat.

Mrs. Hutchison, the state’s senior senator, has said she does not intend to run again. She has indicated she might challenge Gov. Rick Perry for reelection in 2010.

Mrs. Hutchison could either resign early or remain in the Senate while running for governor.

Should Mrs. Shapiro declare her intention to establish a federal campaign exploratory committee, it would allow her to start raising money and put her atop speculation about a possible successor to Mrs. Hutchison.

Mrs. Shapiro has been in the state Senate since 1993 and was a Plano City Council member and mayor before seeking state office. She is chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

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