Rep. Barton unlikely to seek Senate seat if Dewhurst runs

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) says he's weighing a possible Senate bid in 2012, but indicated that he's unlikely to run if Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (R) jumps in the race. 

"I'm looking at the race, but I've got to talk to David Dewhurst and I've got to talk it over with my family," Barton told The Ballot Box, adding that he and Dewhurst are "very good friends." 

That Dewhurst will run for retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's (R-Texas) seat is just about a certainty, according to Texas Republicans.  

"I recruited him into the Republican Party way back when and we're still very good friends, so I would want to visit with him and talk about it before making a decision," said Barton. "It's a possibility, but I wouldn't say it's a probability."  

A recent poll from Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling found Barton was the preference of 7 percent of Texas Republicans in 2012. He came in third behind Dewhurst, who led with 23 percent, and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who garnered 20 percent. 

Paul told the Ballot Box Wednesday that the results of the poll had gotten his attention and that a Senate bid has "certainly crossed my mind." 

But the rumored presidential hopeful didn't sound that high on a Senate campaign, adding, "It's crossed my mind before, so I don't know that it means much."   

Barton said the open Senate seat is naturally a draw for most members of the delegation, but said the reality is that a House seat in Texas isn't the easiest launching pad for a Senate bid. 

"We have 32 congressional districts in Texas, so anyone who has already run statewide has a built-in advantage," he said. "Now, if you're from one of the major metropolitan areas and have pretty good name id, which I do, it's a little easier. But it's still tough." 

Barton made national headlines last year after he apologized to BP CEO Tony Hayward in the midst of the Gulf oil spill for what he called a "shakedown" on the part of Obama administration. Barton later retracted his apology. 

The Republican field in the open seat Senate contest is already a crowded one. Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams resigned his seat on the commission this week to concentrate on a Senate run and former Solicitor General Ted Cruz, former Secretary of State Roger Williams and Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones are also all officially in the race. 

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) served notice last week that he would likely wade into the primary by making an endorsement. In an email to supporters of his Senate Conservatives Fund, DeMint talked up Michael Williams and Ted Cruz and took an early shot at Dewhurst, labeling him the "establishment" candidate. 

Barton said it was a label that doesn't fit Dewhurst and one that he's confident won't stick if the Lt. Gov. enters the race. 

"I don't know anyone that's saying that," Barton said. "David's a good man and he's a strong conservative."