Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) plans to resign by year's end, according to The Politico.
"The announcement took Capitol Hill by surprise because Lott, the former majority leader, seemed to be relishing his job. He had regained a post in leadership after he resigned following racially insensitive remarks at a birthday party for the late Sen. Strom Thurmond."
"Lott would be the sixth Republican senator to announce plans to step down this election cycle. His term expires in 2012; and a resignation would prompt a special election to fill the remainder of his term."
Roll Call says the "shocking move" was "precipitated by a desire to spend more time with his family and a general fatigue of Congress."
Meanwhile, sources tell NBC News Lott is backing Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) to replace him in the party leadership, but that would be determined by secret ballot within the Republican caucus.
CQ has a good backgrounder on the Mississippi Senate seats.
No comments:
Post a Comment