WASHINGTON – Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison asserted today that if she – rather than Rick Perry – had been governor, there would be no need now to call lawmakers back to Austin to complete vital business.

"I would hope not," she said. "Because I would be hands-on, working hard through the session and I would be working with the Legislature, which is what I think the governor should do."

Hutchison is challenging Perry in the GOP primary next March, but hasn't formally announced her candidacy. The senator has previously accused Perry of showing poor leadership, but she hadn't directly asserted that she could have averted the failures of the session that recently adjourned.

The comments provoked a sharp retort. Perry spokesman Mark Miner accused her of staying on the sidelines while the governor worked through the spring to balance the state budget and hold down spending and taxes.

“The senator was nowhere to be found, much like she has been for the last 16 years,” Miner said. “It’s easy to criticize when you’re in Washington and have nothing constructive to offer. She chose not to take any position on any issue for the entire session.”

The senator said that, given the many issues left pending by state lawmakers, there was a need to call a special session – if for nothing else, she said, than to ensure the ongoing operation of the state Transportation Department.

But, she said, "a special session should be for issues that come up as emergencies.…They ought to be able to, in a perfect world, finish the business of a regular session on time."

Hutchison has said she will resign later this year to focus on the campaign. In terms of overt campaigning, she bided her time during the regular session. She said the timing of the special session – Perry hasn't set the dates yet – won't alter her plans.

"After this regular session and the [three week] veto period, my timetable is regardless of whatever happens in a special session," she said. "I am going to be on my own timetable. I will share that timetable when it's timely, but nothing will change…. He has to run his campaign. I'll run mine."

She made the comments after meeting with President Barack Obama's nominee for NASA administrator, astronaut and retired Marine Gen. Charles Bolden.