Amid speculation that U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith could possibly be selected by President-elect Donald Trump as the next Secretary of Agriculture, the Republican lawmaker from Mississippi has decided to remain in her current role.
In a news release issued Friday afternoon, Hyde-Smith expressed gratitude for the fact that her name has been floated as a potential leader of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, she outlined that she wishes to stay put in the legislative branch with plans of running for re-election in two years — as previously announced.
“It’s an honor to be mentioned as a potential nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, but my plans are to remain in the Senate and continue to deliver for the people of Mississippi. As a former state agriculture commissioner and with my current committee assignments, I remain wholeheartedly committed to the ag community, its growth, and its success,” Hyde-Smith stated.
“President Trump will always have my support, and I believe I can be most valuable to him and our country’s farmers and ranchers through my work in the U.S. Senate, particularly as we work toward a new farm bill and address other agricultural and economic issues. As I have stated previously, I plan to seek re-election in 2026.”
No stranger to the demands of advocating for the needs of farmers and foresters, Hyde-Smith served as Mississippi’s agriculture commissioner from 2012-18 before being appointed to her Senate role by former Governor Phil Bryant following longtime lawmaker Thad Cochran’s resignation.
During her time in the federal legislative chamber, Hyde-Smith, a known Trump-ally, has advocated for the Yazoo Backwater Area flood control pump project to come to fruition, legislation urging the federal government to purchase Mississippi catfish, and various conservation projects.
With the Mississippi Senator out of the equation, some names being floated out as potential suitors to run the nation’s agriculture department include Charles Herbster, Kip Tom, Sarah Frey, and even Kentucky-based Congressman Thomas Massie.
