Cochran Retires at 80
Republican U.S. Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi has just announced he will retire effective April 1, citing health reasons. Cochran is 80.
“I regret my health has become an ongoing challenge,” Cochran, 80, said in a statement, CBS News reports. “I intend to fulfill my responsibilities and commitments to the people of Mississippi and the Senate through the completion of the 2018 appropriations cycle, after which I will formally retire from the U.S. Senate.”
Could a Democrat take his seat, and help turn the Senate blue?
The governor of Mississippi has 10 days to appoint a replacement, and he must schedule a special election for this November. The Governor of Mississippi, Republican Phil Bryant, will appoint another Republican.
A similar scenario played out in 2008, when Sen. Trent Lott resigned. Roger Wicker, a Republican who was appointed to serve until a special election was held, ran against Democrat Ronnie Musgrove. Wicker won, 55-45.Â
Could a Democrat take a Mississippi Senate seat? This year, it’s anyone’s guess.
UPDATE:
Senator Wicker is up for re-election this year.
Image by US Dept. of Agriculture via Flickr and a CC license