The new leader of the Texas Republican Party wants Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison to clarify if and when she plans to resign to concentrate on her bid for governor.

Cathie Adams, who was elected party chair Oct. 24, prefers that Hutchison’s plans be known by Jan. 4, the candidate filing deadline for the March 2 primary.

The Jan. 4 date is noteworthy because some Republican officeholders on 2010 ballots might want to run for Hutchison’s seat in a special Senate election that her resignation would spawn. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst presently is running for re-election, but he’s seen as a potential candidate for Hutchison’s seat.