With U.S. Sen. Trent Lott’s seat opening up, there are many names that have been suggested to take his place.In news conferences held in Jackson and his hometown of Pascagoula, Lott, who has served the state and nation for 35 years, formally announced his retirement effective by the end of this year.
According to an article in The Clarion-Ledger, Democrats including former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, former Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., former 2nd District U.S. Rep. Mike Espy, State Rep. Erik Fleming and former Attorney General Mike Moore have shown interest in competing for the position.
Many Republicans have been mentioned for the position as well, although none have publicly shown interest, according to The Clarion-Ledger.
Republican U.S. Reps. Roger Wicker and Chip Pickering, who worked for Sen. Lott, have been mentioned as possible candidates for the position.
Marty Wiseman, director of the Stennis Institute of Government said former graduates and faculty members of Mississippi State, Mark Keenum and Glenn McCullough, have also been mentioned.
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour will appoint a state senator to fill in the position until a candidate is chosen from a special election that will be held on Nov. 4, 2008.
Barbour could appoint someone desiring to keep the position permanently, or he can appoint a capable Republican to keep the seat warm until the next special election, Wiseman said.
In a statement released on the Mississippi government Web site, Lott is not resigning for health-related reasons.
“Let me make it clear: there are no problems,” Lott said in the release. “I may look my 66 years, but I honestly feel good.”
Listening to a sermon and spending time with family members during Thanksgiving played a part in Lott’s decision.
“We had 30 members of our family for Thanksgiving dinner … and I just realized once again I’ve missed a lot of those opportunities to spend extra time with family,” Lott said.
Lee Youngblood, Lott’s press secretary, said spending time with family was only part of the reason he decided to step down.
“Lott made plans to retire in 2005, but Hurricane Katrina was the only reason why he stayed in office,” he said.
Youngblood said Lott has several options on what to do in the future, but nothing has been set yet.
“He would not mind doing some teaching or consulting work,” he said.
Youngblood said since most of the work concerning Katrina recovery has been accomplished from a legislative standpoint, he feels that someone younger should come in.
“We [Mississippians] have a history of always electing younger senators to the House and Senate to gain seniority,” he said. “It’s time to turn it over to a new generation.”
Senior political science major Lee Weiskopf said he believes Lott felt that it was time for him to move on.
“I think there are plenty of qualified people who are going to run who will do good for the state and for the country,” Weiskopf said. “I will support whoever that senator is.”
Wiseman said Lott’s resignation has left a large gap in the U.S. Congress.
“We will lose a key source of power in Washington,” he said.
He said he believes Mississippi will continue to be a viable force in American politics.