Texas insiders like Lt. Gov. Dewhurst for Senate

Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is getting some early buzz as the favorite to succeed Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas).

Dewhurst, who was in Washington last week, had been getting positive attention for pushing through the state legislature a voter ID bill that's expected to be popular with Republican voters.

Moreover, in an unscientific poll of political insiders by the Texas Tribune, Dewhurst was the far and away favorite to win Hutchison's open seat. Former Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams came in second place and rounding out the top three was former Secretary of State Roger Williams.

The Tribune's insiders also said that fundraising will be the most important factor in the campaign followed by conservative Republicans and President Obama.

Meanwhile, Reps. Michael McCaul and Joe Barton are also pondering a run for the GOP Senate nod. 

Hutchison announced Jan. 13 she won't seek reelection in 2012.