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Barbour Names Lott’s Replacement

By Associated Press

Governor Haley Barbour names Congressman Roger Wicker as his choice to temporarily fill Trent Lott's senate seat. Barbour Names Lott’s Replacement

Published: Mon, December 31, 2007 - 10:16 am Last Updated: Mon, December 31, 2007 - 1:22 pm

JACKSON, Miss, (AP) - Congressman Roger Wicker, a conservative
Mississippi Republican, has been named today (Monday) to succeed
former Senator Trent Lott.
This morning Governor Haley Barbour announced Wicker's selection
at a Jackson news conference attended by the congressman and his
wife, Gayle and his father.
Barbour said the selection process had been a serious
undertaking and that it had been important to select a person with
Lott's "conservative values" and who would be able to work with
fellow Republican Senator Thad Cochran.
Wicker, who is 56, will serve until a special election is held.
He is expected to be a candidate in the special election, which
Barbour has scheduled for November 4th.
Wicker had been mentioned as a possible successor since Lott's
resignation this month after serving one year of a six-year term.
Lott's term runs through 2012.
Wicker also is resigning from the U.S. House.

"Few elected officials in America have public service
experience as vast and diverse as Roger's. He served on my
Washington staff when I was in the U.S. House, and, before he was a
congressman, he was an accomplished state legislator and Air Force
officer. Roger has a working knowledge in the key areas important
for a Mississippi senator: including protecting and providing for
our military personnel and bases; legislative experience and
contacts that will enable him to secure needed federal projects for
our state; and, coming from perhaps the most economically dynamic
region of Mississippi, Roger can help all Mississippi communities
secure more jobs." - former U.S. Sen. Trent Lott.
---
"Rep. Wicker's leadership has earned the respect of his
constituents and his colleagues in the House of Representatives. He
is an advocate for our men and women in uniform and a champion of
modernizing our health care system, and he shares Sen. Lott's
commitment to promote the interests of the people of Mississippi. I
look forward to working with Roger in his new role representing
Mississippi in the United States Senate." - President Bush.
---
"I look forward to working with Roger Wicker to help ensure the
continuation of strong influence for our state in Washington. He
has been a very effective congressman, and as a member of the
Appropriations Committee in the House, we have developed a close
working relationship. Roger has the experience, the good judgment,
as well as excellent character traits that will enable him to be a
truly outstanding United States Senator." - U.S. Sen. Thad
Cochran, R-Miss.
---
"Gov. Barbour made a great choice, and Roger Wicker's many
years of public service in the military, the State Senate and in
Congress will help him have an immediate impact in the Senate." -
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
---
"I look forward to working with Congressman Roger Wicker both
in the Senate and on his campaign in 2008." - Sen. John Ensign,
R-Nev., who heads the GOP's Senate campaign committee.
---
"We believe Mississippi, as the rest of the nation, wants to
elect members to the House and Senate who will be a part of the
majority. The Democrats are in the majority. It is important for
Mississippi to elect Democrats to Congress and the Senate so our
state has a strong voice at the table and participate in key
decision-making." - Mississippi Democratic Party spokesman Terry
Cassreino.
---
"Roger has been a tireless advocate for Mississippians in his
leadership position on the Appropriations Committee. His work in
the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina complemented the great work of
Senators Cochran and Lott, and his efforts have expedited our
coast's recovery." - State Treasurer Tate Reeves.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)