Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), who has been open about her desire to run for governor of the Lone Star State in 2010, informed her colleagues Thursday that she would not seek to retain her position as policy chairwoman of the Senate Republican Conference in the next Congress.

Hutchison’s office confirmed that the Senator informed her Senate GOP colleagues of her plans earlier Thursday. The Senator’s office also released the following statement:

“In order to explore new opportunities that many Texans have asked me to consider, I informed my colleagues in the Senate today that I would not seek re-election as Chair of the Republican Policy Committee,” Hutchison said. “I have been honored to serve in the leadership for eight years, and have especially enjoyed shaping our policy positions in my current role; however, it is in the best interests of the conference to elect a new policy committee chairman who can commit full attention throughout the next Congress to Policy Committee responsibilities.”

Hutchison’s announcement is likely to spark a flurry of jockeying for her position, including her home-state colleague Sen. John Cornyn, now the Conference vice chairman. Other Senators likely to consider the slot are National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Ensign (Nev.), GOP Deputy Whip John Thune (S.D.) and Sen. Jim DeMint (S.C.).