Ex-U.S. commander in Iraq may run for Senate in Texas

Updated at 10 a.m. ET

Several news organizations are reporting that retired Army lieutenant general Ricardo Sanchez, a former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, is close to mounting a bid for the U.S. Senate in Texas.

Politico confirmed that Sanchez, who retired in 2006, appears to have been recruited by Democrats for the race to succeed GOP Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is not running for re-election next year.

Sanchez was commander of coalition forces in Iraq at the time of the Abu Ghraib scandal, in which Iraqi prisoners were abused during aggressive interrogations. Sanchez, who now lives in San Antonio, told The Monitor of McAllen, Texas, in 2006 that he was forced to retire because of Abu Ghraib. In his 2008 memoir, he was critical of the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war.

Democrats face an uphill battle in Texas, where Republicans hold every major statewide office. Republican John McCain easily won the 2008 presidential campaign in Texas, outpacing Democrat Barack Obama, 55%-44%.

Still, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray placed Texas on her list of six states that her party can win in the 2012 elections. Part of that, she said, is attributed to the changing demographics of the state, which has grown and become more Hispanic since the 2000 Census.

Matt Canter, a DSCC spokesman, had this to say about Sanchez:

General Sanchez has spent his entire life serving our country, and there's no question he would be a strong candidate if he decides to continue to serve his country in the U.S. Senate. He has a tremendous life story, growing up poor, rising to the rank of general in the Army, and bravely leading more than a hundred thousand troops in both Gulf Wars. He would bring a new perspective to the Senate, as well as a proven commitment to our nation's security and the men and women who fight to protect it. He's exactly the kind of independent leader who can win in Texas.

A host of big-name Republicans -- including Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, former Dallas mayor Tom Leppert, and former Texas Railroad commissioner Michael Williams -- are considering running for the GOP Senate nomination in Texas next year.

Brian Walsh, communications director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said today that the GOP looks forward to hearing Sanchez's stance on issues. The NRSC stands ready for a fight.

"Whomever the Democrats ultimately nominate, Republicans can only hope that person campaigns side-by-side with Barack Obama in Texas and national Democrats decide to spend millions of dollars in the Lone Star state," Walsh said.

Sanchez's candidacy was first reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The retired officer said he would "neither confirm nor deny" his possible candidacy.

Tags:Kay Bailey HutchisonPatty MurrayRicardo Sanchez .div-wrapper

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