HOUSTON (AP) — Retired U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has joined the Dallas law office of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP as senior counsel.

The hiring was announced Wednesday by the Houston-based international law firm. Her husband, Ray Hutchison, is also a senior counsel at the firm's Dallas office.

Kay Bailey Hutchison holds a law degree from the University of Texas. She was a television reporter in Houston before turning to politics.

Hutchison served nearly 20 years in the Senate before deciding not to seek re-election in 2012. Texas voters in November elected fellow Republican Ted Cruz as her replacement.

Hutchison, who failed in her 2010 bid to oust Gov. Rick Perry, previously served in the Texas House and as state treasurer.