MS-Sen: Pickering Not Interested, Barbour To Announce Replacement Monday
By BrettK Posted in 2008 | Mississippi — Comments (10) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
[Promoted from diaries by Mark K, 'cos as Mississippi goes, so goes the nation. We often wish.]
Outgoing Rep. Chip Pickering will not seek Trent Lott’s soon to be vacant seat. Here is his statement:
“It has been a privilege to serve Mississippi in Congress for these past 11 years. I am extremely honored to be considered as a potential appointee to the U.S. Senate, and I am very grateful to those who encouraged me to consider this opportunity.”
“In August, after much prayer, thought and consideration for what I believe is best for my family, I made a very difficult decision not to seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008. I continue to stand by that decision in relation to this Senate vacancy. I believe public service is an honorable calling. But now is not my time.”
“I spoke with Governor Haley Barbour and shared with him my decision not to seek Trent Lott’s Senate seat in the upcoming special election, and asked him to remove my name from consideration for the appointment. I plan to remain active in politics and in the community, and I sincerely hope I will have the opportunity to serve the people of Mississippi again in the future.”
Read On...
With Pickering out of the picture, Rep. Roger Wicker appears to be the front-runner. He represents the first district in North Mississippi. But if he was the nominee, Republicans would not only have to defend Lott’s seat (the general election will be in November along with other elections), but Pickering’s seat as well as Wicker’s if he chooses to run.
Pickering’s seat should be an easy hold, but Wicker represents a conservative, blue dog district which likes electing Democratic state Senators and Reps and could swing if the Dems get their act together (not likely in Mississippi) and nominate a solid candidate (possible).
We will know whom Gov. Haley Barbour will appoint on Monday. According to the Clarion-Ledger, that is when he will hold a press conference to announce his replacement.
Follow the race at Majority In Mississippi
But is he up against a deadline?
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
He had 10 business days from the time Lott tendered his resignation which was last Tuesday or Wednesday I believe.
Greg Davis http://southaven.com/page.cfm?pid=13&sid=12&ssid=223 is running for the 1st congressional seat should wicker get the call to the senate. Davis is a solid conservative with a strong voting record while a member of the mississippi house of reps and while serving as the top executive of the largest city in the first district (Southaven). He will be the leading GOP in the open primary to replace wicker.
Because unless Barbour pulls a surprise, it looks like he's going to be the next United States Senator from Mississippi.
He's another porker, though he is a social conservative.
is 91.5. But you're right he's certainly a pork guy.
Better he be good on 99% of the budget and bad on 1%, than the other way around, to be sure.
I'm disappointed in Barbour for making the announcement on New Year's Eve. The new nominee won't get the attention he should get in the wake of the appointment because of parties, bowl games, and the Iowa caucuses.
www.republicansenate.org