Hutchison pushes ahead with primary preps

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has a message for Gov. Rick Perry, who is telling reporters that she will not run against him for governor: Saying it does not make it true.

Hutchison announced on Thursday that she now has $8 million in her state campaign account, money transferred from her federal campaign funds and intended for her potential 2010 gubernatorial race. Perry has just over $6 million but is prohibited from fund-raising during the upcoming five months of the legislative session.

"In the coming weeks, I will be taking additional steps toward a race for governor," Hutchison said. "This is a critical time for our state and nation. I am going to be traveling our state, talking to Texans from all walks of life, and working hard to make certain that the wisdom and opinion of people across our state is heard."

Hutchison's remarks came a couple days after incumbent Perry -- who has insisted he will run for another term in 2010 -- told reporters that Hutchison probably would not run against him in the Republican primary, which is still a year away.

During a one-on-one interview with KXAN Austin News on Thursday, the Governor would not directly respond to Hutchison's new announcement.

"I am concentrating on the legislative session," Perry said. "My focus is on my job. You know, I would suggest to other folks that if they would do their job, the politics will take care of themselves."

Perry's campaign announced he has $6.6 million in his campaign fund for 2010. To watch the entire interview with Perry, tune in to Session '09 Austin News In-Depth at 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning.