Mike Williams favored to replace Sen. Hutchison

Houston Chronicle:

Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams is emerging as a favorite to be named as U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's successor if she resigns to run for governor, creating the possibility he could become the first black U.S. senator from Texas.

If chosen by Gov. Rick Perry, Williams also would be the only black Republican in a Senate where the GOP is battling the nation's first black president on health care and global warming. The only other black senator is a Democrat from Illinois who replaced President Barack Obama. If appointed, Williams would be only the fifth black to serve in the Senate since Reconstruction.

Hutchison has said she will resign to run against Perry. When she does, Perry will name an interim senator until a special election can be held.

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Three other Republicans who have announced as candidates for the office have demonstrated money-raising abilities that exceed those of Williams. But Williams can make claims the others cannot: He appeared twice with Perry at news conferences recently. He has the backing of some national Republican leaders, including former Speaker Newt Gingrich and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

Williams, a staunch abortion opponent, also has solid footing among social conservative activists whose support Perry needs in his own re-election campaign in the Republican primary against Hutchison next spring.

Some close to Williams say it is a head-versus-heart decision for Perry — pick someone with money or someone with grass-roots support whose appointment would be historic.

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Mike Williams would make an outstanding Senator from Texas. He understands Texas values and the economics of this state. None of the GOP candidates have shown much of a knack for fund raising to date, but I think his appointment would cure that problem for whomever is selected. Williams will certainly give Democrats problems they are not used to at the polls.