Texas Republican to kick off Senate bid Tuesday

Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones (R) will officially kick off her bid for retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's (R-Texas) Senate seat Tuesday at an event in Dallas.

It's the first stop on what will be a statewide tour to hit 14 cities over the next four days.  

"I am running for Senate because our federal government is out of control," Jones said in a statement. "We have to rein in out of control spending and debt, ban wasteful pork and earmarks, secure our borders and get government off the backs of businesses so they can grow and create desperately-needed jobs."

Ames Jones first entered the Senate fray in 2009 after Hutchison announced her intention to resign her Senate seat to focus on a bid for governor. Hutchison later reneged on that pledge.  

The Republican primary field in 2012 is expected to be a crowded one and, along with Ames Jones, already includes fellow Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, a favorite of many Tea Party groups in the state. 

Other Republicans already in the race are former Secretary of State Roger Williams, who has already received the backing of former President George H.W. Bush and former Solicitor General Ted Cruz.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (R) is the likely favorite on the Republican side should he get into the race, as most observers expect he will. At least two members of the state's congressional delegation are contemplating the race, too -- Reps. Joe Barton and Michael McCaul.