ST. PAUL — Kay Bailey Hutchison is increasingly looking like a candidate for Texas governor in 2010 as she strongly considers leaving the Senate early to pursue the bid.

The Republican senator has long harbored ambitions to be the chief executive of her home state, and some people close to her say such a candidacy is a near certainty.

But she has taken actions that suggest the chances are good that she will leave before her term ends in 2013.

Hutchison said she and her husband Ray have enrolled their two children in a Dallas school this year. Last year the couple brought their young children to the Washington suburbs. Some see that move as a clear indicator of her imminent decision to relocate back to Texas.

Hutchison also spent August on a highly visible bus tour of her home state, repeatedly telling backers and the local media that she is actively considering a run for governor. Over the last several weeks, Hutchison has helped cement her name recognition as a frequent guest on cable news shows and as she was regularly mentioned as a possible vice presidential running mate for Sen. John McCain.

After schmoozing with Texas delegates at the Republican National Convention, she signaled that she was leaning toward leaving the Senate to run for governor in Texas.

“I think people know that I’m very much looking for that, hoping to do it. Yes,” she said on the convention floor.

Hutchison, 65, said she would “start looking at a timetable” to announce her intentions after the November elections.

People close to Hutchison say she is weary of Washington and is most happy back home in Texas. Leaving the Senate early, they say, might help her avoid casting difficult votes forced by a larger Democratic majority, which could complicate her bid for governor.

Already, Republicans are jockeying for her Senate seat, including state Sen. Florence Shapiro, who in July said she would form an exploratory committee in case Hutchison leaves office.