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CQ TODAY MIDDAY UPDATE
Nov. 26, 2007 – 1:53 p.m.

Lott Resignation Will Force Special Election

The impending resignation of Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott will trigger at least one and quite possibly two special elections in Mississippi next year.

When Lott resigns, Republican Gov. Haley Barbour must appoint a replacement within 10 days to serve until a special election is held in November 2008 to fill the remainder of Lott’s term.

Speculation about Barbour’s choice is focused on Republican Rep. Charles W. “Chip” Pickering Jr. of the 3rd District. Pickering, 44, has long held aspirations for higher office. He announced his retirement from the House in August, at a time when it seemed neither Senate seat would be up in 2008. Pickering was forced to defer his Senate ambitions in 2006, when Lott weighed retirement but decided to seek another term.

If Pickering is appointed as Lott’s interim successor, his House seat would be filled in a special election next year.

Republican Rep. Roger Wicker also has been mentioned as a possible Lott successor.

Former Attorney General Mike Moore is the most prominent Democrat mentioned as a possible candidate for the Senate seat in 2008.

Like many states in the south, Mississippi has trended strongly Republican in recent years after decades of Democratic control. The last Democrat to hold a Senate seat in Mississippi was John Stennis, who was re-elected to his final term in 1982.

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  1. torridjoe November 26, 2007 8:09 PM
    If Lott resigns in 2007 as promised, by MS law the special election will take place within 90 days of that date. Barbour is trying to play games with the law by saying it would be in November, but prima facie the text of the law is fairly clear.
  2. john cuddyre November 28, 2007 12:21 PM
    I can't believe that dems are wasting time complaining about the timing of a spec. elect. All Lott has to do is resign Jan. 1 and the problem is solved, DUH!
  3. some other george November 28, 2007 6:31 PM
    John, the whole point of Lott resigning is that if he's in office on Jan 1 the new lobbyist regulations will apply to him. It's all about the money. He's on his way to a cushy K Street sinecure and he wants as few handcuffs on his income generation as possible. That's why he said he'll resign by the end of the year ... that is, before the new regs go into effect. So yes, there will be a special election, in which the Dems have a better shot at winning than if it was delayed till November. Bottom line, Lott is shafting the Mississippi Republicans so he can personally rake in more cash. What a guy.

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