Last week, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison announced that she would not seek re-election in 2012.

To be clear, this does not mean she is resigning. She will continue to finish out her term through December of 2012.

Yet the long-expected announcement sparked giddiness among political insiders. An open U.S. Senate seat is extremely rare. When the opportunity presents itself, the multitudes line-up to seek the seat.

There is already a long list of Republican names being bandied about but at the top of everyone’s list is current Lt. Governor David Dewhurst. He will be formidable due to his statewide popularity and his financial strength.

Still, we’re talking about an intense Republican primary battle here. How Governor Dewhurst performs during the Session may well predict his position in the primary.

And of course, with his ascension to Senatorial candidate, many will line-up for Lt. Governor. The fact is that the Lt. Governor is not up for election in 2012. He will be able to run without resigning his seat – just as George Bush was able to seek the Presidency while remaining Governor. Thus, the Lt. Governor speculation may be premature, unless one presumes he wins.

There are already people announcing their intent and interest to run for Lt. Governor.

All of this creates an even more unique position for governing during the 82nd Legislative Session. The politicos will begin keeping a strong eye and ear towards the Republican primaries – historically, a more conservative crowd than the general election Republican voters.

Does this mean that Governor Dewhurst will dismiss the sacred 2/3 rule in the Texas Senate? Does it mean that any hope of rational governing will fade completely in Austin?

Not sure. Governor Dewhurst has been a fairly stand-up Lt. Governor throughout his tenure but the political nature of his future may cause him to view his decisions through the narrow tunnel of a Republican Primary fight.

It will all make for great political theater for the next two years. Fasten your seat belts, this will be one wild ride…………like it wasn’t already……….. ha!