Governor Bryant originally said that he would wait until ten days after Senator Thad Cochran’s retirement to announce his appointment, but things have changed.
A media release from the Governor’s office has confirmed that he will publicly announce his decision tomorrow in Brookhaven at 12:00 p.m. While it has not been confirmed, numerous GOP sources have indicated that the Governor will appoint Cindy Hyde-Smith, Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture, to the seat. Other names that had been reportedly linked to a possible appointment were Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, Lt. Governor Tate Reeves and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn.
Cochran’s retirement will be made official on April 1st. Whoever is appointed by Governor Bryant will then likely run against State Senator Chris McDaniel (R), and Mike Espy (D) to fill the seat for the remainder of the term, which extends through 2021.
McDaniel’s supporters wanted the Governor to appoint their candidate, and McDaniel said appointing him could “unify” the party ahead of an election, but he was not on the short list of candidates. McDaniel also made claims that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was trying to influence the appointment process, but Bryant vehemently denied that claim.
Anyone who thinks anyone in Washington will influence who I appoint to complete Sen. Cochran’s term is out of touch with reality.
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) March 15, 2018
Wednesday’s press conference will be held at the Military Memorial Museum at the Old Train Depot in Brookhaven.
