It didn’t take long for a candidate to step up and attempt to fill the shoes of U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, who announced his retirement earlier today.
Related: Cochran announces he will step down April 1st
Mike Espy (D), former Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture and a former U.S. Representative from the 2nd District of Mississippi, is the first to announce his intent to run. Espy said in a statement to WLBT that he wants to return to Washington in hopes of improving Mississippi.
“I just learned of the pending resignation of Sen. Cochran- a person I admire and respect, and who has done so much for Mississippi over his tenure. However, now that he has announced his pending resignation I would like to declare my strong intention to run for the United States Senate,” Espy said. “It’s been some time since I worked in Washington and I have witnessed with dismay the continuing dysfunction. I have proven that I can work with everyone as long as the goal is a better Mississippi.”
Espy served in the House of Representatives from 1987-1993 and was appointed as the Secretary of Agriculture by Bill Clinton. Espy served in the role from 1993-94 before his resignation.
Cochran has held his seat in the Senate since 1978. Governor Bryant will appoint a temporary replacement before a special election takes place. Cochran’s term is set to end in 2021.
