By Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Staff

Democratic former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove on Monday made official his intention to run for the Senate, announcing plans to challenge newly appointed Republican Sen. Roger Wicker just eight days into his tenure as Mississippi’s temporary junior senator. Wicker was appointed after Trent Lott resigned, forcing a special election in November to fill out the last 4 years of Lott’s term.

Musgrove positioned himself as an independent voice during four candidate announcement events in Tupelo, Jackson, Hattiesburg and Gulfport.

“I’ll vote against the Democrats when I think they’re wrong, and I’ll vote with the Republicans when I think it’s best for Mississippi,” Musgrove stated, according to his announcement release. “But the most important thing is this — if we’re going to get this country back on sound footing, we’ll need a senator who knows how to say no.”

Musgrove also took aim at Wicker’s fiscal record, saying he supported earmarks and spending measures that Musgrove believes contributed to the country’s national debt.

“Saying that ‘everyone else does it’ isn’t good enough anymore,” Musgrove said.

Musgrove served as governor from 2000-04 and retains high statewide name recognition. Many Democrats were disappointed when their top-flight candidate, former Attorney General Mike Moore, opted out of the Senate race. The field now includes former Democratic Rep. Ronnie Shows, who told the Associated Press that he will be running for Senate. Former Gov. Ray Mabus and former Rep. Mike Espy, who served as Agriculture Secretary under President Bill Clinton, are also possible candidates.

On Dec. 31, Republican Gov. Haley Barbour chose Wicker, who was serving in the House, to fill the vacancy created by Republican Trent Lott’s resignation. Lott announced Monday his partnership with former Democratic Sen. John B. Breaux of Louisiana to create a lobbying and consulting firm, The Breaux-Lott Leadership Group.

Wicker is due to serve in the position until the November special election. Wicker intends to run and has been campaigning in the state since his appointment.

Republicans begin the race with a strong advantage, not only because Wicker is already in the position but also because the GOP has a strong foothold in the state. Mississippians haven’t elected a Democratic senator since 1982.

CQ Politics rates the race as Republican Favored

Barbour set the special election date for Nov. 4 but that date has been challenged by Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood. Hood filed a complaint in Hinds County Circuit Court on Jan. 2 arguing that it violates state election law. Hood says the election should be held 90 days from the time Barbour issued a proclamation calling for a special election, which would place the election in early spring.

If the election date is Nov. 4, Wicker will have served in the Senate for nearly one year by the time of the contest, giving the Republicans a major advantage to hold the seat.

Candidates of all parties will run on a nonpartisan ballot in the special election. If one candidate receives a majority of the vote, he or she will be declared the outright winner. If no candidate receives a majority and the election date remains Nov. 4, the top two vote-getters will compete in a Nov. 25 runoff.

Candidates for the special election must file with the Mississippi Secretary of State by 5 p.m. Friday.