Burnt Orange Report

Radnofsky Expected To End Exploration, Enter Senate Race

By Vince Leibowitz

After almost a year of operating an official exploratory campaign, Houston Attorney Barbara Ann Radnofsky is expected to end her exploration and officially announce her candidacy for U.S. Senate within the next week, according to sources close to her exploration.

Radnofsky, who began her exploration last year and made a splash at the Texas and National Democratic Conventions, is vying for the seat currently held by U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Republican who is considering a run against fellow a fellow Republican, Texas Governor Rick Perry in 2006 when her seat will be up.

After a year of traveling the state, appearing at rallies, and fund-raising on behalf of other candidates, Radnofsky, 48 is reportedly ready to enter the electoral frey formally--after having secured well-known Texas talents to assist her campaign in the all-important area of fund-raising and spending last summer and fall researching and on the stump.

Described as a moderate Democrat, Radnofsky already enjoys a good deal of support from top party leaders including Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting. When Radnofsky told Soechting she was starting her exploration last year, she recounts him telling her she could "tell people I hurt myself doing back flips doing this, I'm so happy you're doing this."

She is expected to be endorsed by a wide-range of people, including Olympic gold medalists, and former DNC officials.

Though Radnofsky has never held elective office--and never attended a state party convention until this year, her profile has risen considerably in the past few months with fund-raising on behalf of candidates like Richard Morrison, the Democrat who attempted to unseat Tom DeLay, and positive press coverage generated from her stump speeches across the state.

THE 2006 RACE

When Radnofsky announces her candidacy, she will be the first person in either party to formally announce a 2006 candidacy for U.S. Senate. Currently, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is toying with a run for governor against fellow Republican Rick Perry, though some Austin insiders say Hutchison will retire to spend more time with her young children rather than face the possibility of enduring a primary which is sure to be a crippling blood-bath for both.

Last summer, Congressman Chris Bell (D-Houston), the first casualty of the 2003 redistricting plan when he lost to Houston justice of the peace Al Green in the Democratic Primary, was reportedly considering a run for Senate, as were U.S. Congressmen Jim Turner. Turner declined to seek re-election in 2004. Late last year, however, Bell announced he was considering forming an exploratory committee to run for governor. Turner is reportedly also considering such a run.

Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, however, remains a wildcard. He lost the race for Senate in 2002 to then Texas Attorney General John Cornyn. Late last year, he announced he would seek the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee. However, this week he withdrew to support former U.S. Congressman Martin Frost (D-Oak Cliff).

Former U.S. Congressman Ken Bentsen (D-Houston), nephew of former U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen, is also a possible contender for the Senate seat. Last Fall, former Texas Lt. Governor Ben Barnes was also mentioned as a possible Senate candidate, but that's unlikely.

On the Republican side, the scinarios regarding who may run for the seat border on dizzying. Aside from Hutchison staying where she is in the Senate, one scinario favored by many Republicans has Hutchison retiring and not running against Perry, and Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, who is also considering a run against Perry, dropping out of that race to seek the Lt. Governor's position held by David Dewhurst. Dewhurst would in turn run for Senate, the position he reportedly favored in 2002 over the one he holds now. Still others favor Dewhurst staying where he is and the outspoken Strayhorn or AG Greg Abbott making a run for Senate.

Speculation regarding which Republicans may seek the U.S. Senate seat in 2006 are almost as dizzying as speculation surrounding which Democrats will run for Governor. Laredo businessman Tony Sanchez, who lost to Perry in 2002; former Texas Comptroller John Sharp (who has lost two races in a row for Lt. Governor); Dallas Mayor Laura Miller; Former Austin Mayor Kirk Watson (who lost to Greg Abbot in the AG's race in 2002); Austin advertising magnate Roy Spence; and Ken Bentsen are all possibilities along with Bell and Turner.

RADNOFSKY BIO

Though a political novice when it comes to electoral politics, Radnofsky--a partner in the prestigious Houston law firm of Vinson & Elkins--is no light-weight. A National Merit Scholar, she holds a B.A. magna cum laude from the University of Houston (which she entered at age 16) and a Doctor of Jurisprudence with Honors from the University of Texas School of Law. With more than 140 publications and speeches to her credit in the U.S. and abroad, Radnofsky has also been named Outstanding Young Lawyer of Texas. All this has helped her earn the catch phrase, "tough name, smart dame," which she used on the stump last year.

In addition, she has a lengthy record of community service including as a Board Member of the Friends World Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention, on which she serves at the request of the discoverer of the AIDS virus, Professor Luc Montagnier. She also serves as vice chair of the Anti-Defamation League for the Southwest Region as well as a Board Member of the Friends of the Texas Medical Center Library. She's taught mediation to public school, Upward Bound, and developmentally disabled students. Her husband, Ed Supkis, ia a medical doctor.

Her 25-year legal career has seen her gain certification in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She has served as lead counsel in trials ranging from commercial dispute and medical malpractice to contractual indemnity, false arrest and malicious prosecution. From 2001 to 2003, she served as Chairman of the American Bar Association's Managed Care Litigation Section Subcommittee.