The 2006 U.S. Senate Race is heating up for Kay Bailey Hutchinson, the Republic incumbent, and the two Democratic candidates, Barbra Ann Radnofsky and Gene Kelly. According to The Dallas Morning News, Radnofsky and Kelly entered into a run-off election yesterday evening with Radnofsky earning 43.93 percent of the vote and Kelly earning 37.51 percent. The winner of the run-off election will compete against Hutchinson for a spot in the U.S. Senate.
Hutchison, elected as the first woman to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate, has served three terms. Hutchison’s previous experience as a senator has not caused her opponent to back down.
Radnofsky, a mother, wife, teacher and Houston attorney of 25 years, says she’s running to win and won’t shy away from the fight. She is confident in her campaign and looking forward to the upcoming election.
Radnofsky is considered one of the top health care lawyers in the country. She says providing quality and affordable health care for all Americans is one of her top priorities.
Her platform also includes promoting a national policy of energy independence, while protecting the environment and working for honesty and integrity in government. She is concerned with honoring veterans and protecting their rights and ensuring fairness and effectiveness when dealing with immigration. Another of her efforts will be to provide a more effective learning environment for all Texas children. Radnofsky vows to show budget responsibility with Texans money with a goal to save more.
She is also adamant in providing for a planned, professional and safe exit of U.S. forces in Iraq. In response to possibly winning the Democratic candidacy, Radnofsky’s communication director for the campaign, Seth Davidson, said, “She is very excited and looking forward to a series of debates with Kay Bailey Hutchinson.”
Eugene Edward Kelly, who calls himself “Gene” after the famous actor and dancer, is a retired lawyer from Universal City and has not done much campaigning, according to The Dallas Morning News. He has run numerous times for statewide office, says The DMN, including a failed campaign for Senate in 2002. Kelly paid the $5,000 filing fee to be a part of the Democratic primary and simply waited for election results, according to The Houston Chronicle.
Run-off elections for Kelly and Radnofsky will be held April 11, as posted online by The Dallas Morning News.