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By
Associated Press
.
Published: Mon, November 26, 2007 - 4:07 pm
Last Updated: Mon, November 26, 2007 - 4:13 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) - A loss for Mississippi in the U.S. Senatecould mean gains in influence for Texas next year.
Mississippi Senator Trent Lott -- who's the number two
Republican in the chamber -- says he'll step down by the end of
December.
Lott's announcement set in motion a competition for Republican
leadership spots that will involve Texans Kay Bailey Hutchison
andJohn Cornyn.
Lott's departure leaves open the minority whip post in the
Republican conference.
An aide says Arizona Senator Jon Kyl
will run for the keyvote-counting job.
The Associated Press reports that paves the way for Hutchison,
who's the number four Senate Republican, and Cornyn
, who's numberfive, to try to move up the leadership ladder.
Hutchison wasn't discussing her plans publicly, but Senate aides
confirm she plans to run for Republican conference chair -- the
third spot.
Cornyn's office says he'll seek the number four job -- policy
chair -- should Hutchison try to move up.
Hutchison may leave the Senate as early as 2009 to run for Texas
governor.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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