She was elected state treasurer in 1990 after the incumbent, Ann Richards, was elected governor. In 1993, Hutchison entered the 1993 special election to replace Democratic Sen. Lloyd Bentsen. After topping a 24-person Democrat and Republican field, she trounced interim Democratic Sen. Bob Krueger in a runoff. She was re-elected to a full term in 1994. Hutchison enters the next phase of her career acknowledging that her political prowess has evolved.
Experience always brings an improvement.
You can do a job better if you are experienced in doing it. I think I've gained from the experience. I'm able to get things done. The absence of a serious election threat, say supporters, reflects Hutchison's popularity and the job she's done as the first woman to represent Texas in the Senate. We have a very popular governor and he's wonderful.