2010: KBH Calls it for White

Sorry, Farouk. U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison called the Democratic gubernatorial primary for Houston Mayor Bill White .

"We will be pursuing an election against Bill White after I win the [Republican] nomination," said Hutchison, after she filed papers to be on the Republican primary ballot for governor.

Hutchison's using White's strength on the Democratic side to make her case before Republicans.

"Certainly, he (White) is a credible candidate. That makes it more important for Republicans to vote for the candidate who can win," Hutchison said.

Hutchison does fare better in the Texas Tribune/University of Texas poll against an "unnamed Democratic nominee".

Q18. If Rick Perry were the Republican nominee for governor, and the 2010 general election were held today, would you vote for Republican Rick Perry, the Democratic nominee, a third party candidate, or haven’t you thought enough about it to have an opinion?

34% Rick Perry

33% The Democratic nominee

8% Third party candidate

24% Don’t know

Q19. If Kay Bailey Hutchison were the Republican nominee for governor, and the 2010 general election were held today, would you vote for Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison, the Democratic nominee, a third party candidate, or haven’t you thought enough about it to have an opinion?

36% Kay Bailey Hutchison

25% The Democratic nominee

9% Third party candidate

30% Don’t know

Hutchison's campaign later called to clarify, saying Hutchison is unconcerned about who wins the Democratic nomination.

"She's not focused on the Democrat nominee, regardless of who it is, because she will beat them in the general," said Communications Director Jennifer Baker.