IRVING – State Sen. Florence Shapiro officially began her pursuit of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday by announcing the formation of an exploratory committee to raise campaign cash.

She'll need lots of it to boost her name recognition to beat a potentially crowded field for the seat held by Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison. The Plano Republican said her experience, from being a Richardson school district teacher to a leader in the state Senate, would help her succeed Ms. Hutchison.

REX C. CURRY/Special Contributor

Former Dallas Cowboy Roger Staubach (right) will be co-chair of state Sen. Florence Shapiro’s exploratory committee for the U.S. Senate race. Ms. Shapiro (left) made her announcement in Irving on Tuesday.

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"It's been quite a journey," she said. "The new journey has just begun."

Though Ms. Hutchison's term doesn't expire until 2012, she has hinted that she may leave before then to run for governor.

Ms. Shapiro said she has talked to her friend Ms. Hutchison about the exploratory committee.

"She was excited about it," Ms. Shapiro told reporters.

She said the exploratory committee is a way to gauge how her candidacy and the issues important to her would be accepted by Texas voters.

In forming her exploratory committee, Ms. Shapiro is now a player in a political drama that's sure to have many twists before the 2010 gubernatorial election.

Gov. Rick Perry has already said he'll seek re-election, and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst also may run.

If Ms. Hutchison doesn't run for governor, she's expected to retire from the Senate after her term ends in 2012.

There could be a battle royal for her seat.

Other potential GOP candidates include Reps. Pete Sessions of Dallas and Kay Granger of Fort Worth, state Rep. Dan Branch of Dallas, former Secretary of State Roger Williams and others.

Ms. Shapiro has about 130 supporters from across Texas listed as co-chairs of her exploratory committee.

But it's rare for a state legislator to make the leap to the U.S. Senate. She's still not well-known outside of North Texas, and her bruising fights over public education policy have probably made her some enemies.

In addition, the state's changing demographics could create opportunities for Democrats in 2010 and 2012.

"It will be a crowded race," Ms. Shapiro told reporters. "I need to prepare myself."