Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R.-Tx.) is signalling that she intends to play a spoilers' role in Gov. Rick Perry's re-election gubernatorial campaign. They are both Republicans. Sen. Hutchison has joined with Houston Mayor Bill White, a Democrat running for governor, on lobbying efforts in Washington D.C. Mayor White will likely be the main contender against Gov. Perry after the March Texas primaries.

The Houston Chronicle reports that, "Houston Mayor Bill White on Thursday challenged an Army decision to end 17 years of combat truck production in suburban Houston, warning the top procurement officer it was a mistake and a financial risk to send the $2.6 billion contract to the winning bidder in Wisconsin."

The Houston mayor is leading the lobbying efforts while Sen. Hutchison has agreed to a more subordinate role, even on the eve of Mr. White announcing his much anticipated bid for Texas governor. The two political allies were joined by 11 House members in a 90-minute session before Dean G. Popps, the Army's acting assistant secretary for acquisitions, logistics and technology.

The Texans pleaded with Army officials to reconsider the bid by the Sealy, Texas branch of BAE Systems is the Government Accountability Office (GAO) orders a rebid. BAE Systems anticipates to hear the results of its appeal to the GAO by Dec. 14.

According to the Chronicle, "the loss of the contract at the Sealy plant could jeapordize 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in the greater Houston area, according to the Greater Houston Partnership."

Oshkosh Corp., the winning bidder, maintains "a zero track record" producing the 2.5-ton and 5-ton armored utility trucks being utilized by armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, White said to reporters after the closed-door meeting.

As reported by the Chronicle, "Hutchison said she and White have always worked together for Texas, adding: 'We have a very cordial relationship and one of mutual focus on the goals."

To read the entire article from the Houston Chronicle, link here:

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