Sen. Thad Cochran Announces Retirement

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WCBI) – Ending weeks of speculation, today, Senator Thad Cochran announces his intention to resign from the U.S. Senate on the first of April.

Cochran cites his health as an ongoing challenge. In a statement, Cochran said he intends to complete the appropriations cycle before retiring.

Cochran is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Cochran was the first Republican in more than 100 years to win a statewide election contest in Mississippi. He replaced Senator Jim Eastland.

Senator Cochran has represented Mississippi in the Senate since 1978. He is the tenth longest serving Senator in US history.

The Pontotoc native originally was elected as a US Representative for 3 terms.