Hutchison backs governor term limits

LA MARQUE, Texas (AP) - U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said GOP Gov. Rick Perry is "trying to stay too long" in office and she is proposing term limits for Texas governor.

Hutchison, in announcing for governor Monday, singled out the Texas Department of Public Transportation, calling it the "most arrogant, unaccountable state agency in the history of Texas."

Hutchison kicked off her bid in La Marque, where she grew up, as part of a 19-city campaign announcement tour through Friday.

The state's senior U.S. senator is running against Perry in the March 2010 Republican primary, in her bid for the four-year term.

Perry, the longest-serving governor in Texas history, has been in office since 2000. Hutchison suggests a two-term limit, totaling eight years.

La Marque is about 40 miles southeast of Houston.