Former Ag Secretary to Run for Senate Seat

Former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy intends to run for the Senate seat currently held by the soon retiring Republican Thad Cochran of Mississippi.

80-year-old Cochran will retire April first, saying in a statement that his health has “become an ongoing challenge.”

Espy, a Democrat who was the first Agriculture Secretary in the Clinton administration, intends to run for the Senate seat. Espy was the first African-American to hold the Agriculture Secretary position.

The Hagstrom Report points out the Espy was indicted for receiving improper gifts in 1997, but was acquitted of all charges in 1998. After resigning the USDA post amidst the controversies, Espy returned to Mississippi where he has worked as a lawyer.

Mississippi will hold a special election in November for Cochran’s Senate seat, along with a normal election for the state’s other Senate seat.

From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.