Recent polls already show United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison with a slight advantage over Governor Rick Perry for the 2010 gubernatorial election.
Her campaign advisors say she has more money in the bank and both have been publicly at odds over issues such as the federal economic stimulus money.
However the issues that each runs & chooses to concentrate on will be those that most resonate with the more conservative leaning Republican primary voters.
Governor Rick Perry has long been touted as one of the most pro-life governors Texas has ever seen. Common belief holds that this will be a key issue if not THE issue that could put him over the edge in the 2010 primary election against United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Since he has been in the executive office Perry has supported parental consent a ban on 3rd trimester abortions a prenatal protection act protecting unborn babies from assault a ban on tax dollars used to support abortion facilities informed consent a human cloning ban and he has recently vowed to veto any legislation allowing state dollars to be used for embryonic stem cell research.
Governor Perry will be running for his third re-election bid next year. He is the longest standing governor in the history of Texas having served eight years. However of all the campaigns he has run thus far this one will certainly be his most difficult.
Both candidates are strong on the issues closest to the Republican Party and many political prognosticators believe the pro-life issue provides a clear contrast between the two. That being said each camp claims its own perspective on its yet-to-be-determined significance let alone impact.
Senator Hutchisons is considered by many to be a pro-life candidate. Others point to her mixed voting record on abortion as scored by the National Right to Life. In particular she has voted to expand embryonic stem cell research an emerging issue not yet tested in hard-fought primaries with as much significance as the upcoming governors campaign.
Governor Perry has taken advantage of the differences between himself and his opponent by being visible on pro-life issues this legislative session. In December he endorsed the Choose Life" license plate which will be up for a vote later this spring. He also spoke at the Texas Rally for Life in January reiterating his record of support on pro-life issues.
Also of note is the fact that while Texas continues to expand its pro-life laws President Obamas swift and far-reaching changes since entering office just two months ago continue bring an increased spotlight to the issue. This should not be overlooked by political followers while the presidents actions ignite a fire under pro-lifers nationwide and may likely move voters to look for and support the most pro-life candidates in the upcoming election cycle.
Although Senator Hutchison has the advantage early in the race the pro-life issue will be one to watch as it could significantly narrow margin as the March 2010 primary approaches.
