U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's decision not to resign her Senate seat, until after the March primaries, could throw a wrench in the GOP ballot.
Hutchison announced Saturday that she won't resign her Senate seat until the fights against the health care plan and 'cap and trade' are over.
The political predicament of Hutchinson's incumbency and candidacy is leaving Texas Republican and Democratic leaders, as well as primary voters, in a lurch.
"I would first like to know when is the election going to be, that would be good, and then, after that, who else is going to be in the race?" Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Sharp said.
Sharp said he is running for U.S. Senate whether he waits until 2012, when Hutchison's term is over, or for a special election, should she resign early in her bid for the governor's mansion.
"I think if you're running for one office, and then trade to another, or try to do it all at one time, you're going to have problems," Sharp said.
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Indecisions
News 8's Karina Kling shows how Hutchinson's incumbency could affect Texans.
 
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If Hutchison quits her Senate seat after the primary, Gov. Rick Perry could still appoint somebody to fill her position, even if he loses the election.
For example, if Perry appoints Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to Hutchison’s seat, Dewhurst could then withdraw as the incumbent in the lieutenant governor’s race, assuming he clinches the GOP nod for another term.
According to Texas Election Code, if the governor appoints somebody to Hutchison's seat, voters would lose control of the ballot box.
A 62-member State Republican executive committee would then pick replacements for the party's nominees.
"It's not an ideal situation by any means," Eric Opiela, with the Republican Party of Texas, said.
Not having an idea of when or if this scenario will happen leaves Sharp with one lesson he said he's learned.
"Don't assume, just because Kay Hutchison says something, it's going to happen, because that doesn't seem to be the case," he said.
Jan. 4 is the primary filing deadline for candidates.
