Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., announced Monday that he plans to retire from the Senate effective April 1 amid a series of health concerns after nearly 40 years in the Senate.
“I regret my health has become an ongoing challenge. I intend to fulfill my responsibilities and commitments to the people of Mississippi and the Senate through the completion of the 2018 appropriations cycle, after which I will formally retire from the U.S. Senate,” Cochran said in a statement.
“It has been a great honor to serve the people of Mississippi and our country,” Cochran said. “I’ve done my best to make decisions in the best interests of our nation, and my beloved state. My top concern has always been my constituents in Mississippi. My hope is by making this announcement now, a smooth transition can be ensured so their voice will continue to be heard in Washington, D.C. My efforts, and those of my staff, to assist them will continue and transfer to my successor.”
Throughout the past year, Cochran, 80, has faced a series of health issues, including missing nearly a month of work after a urological procedure in October. This led to questions about how long he would continue to serve in the upper chamber and atop the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a longtime colleague of Cochran, hailed him as a “quiet persuader” and as a difference-maker during his time in office, rather than a senator who made “a fuss.”
“Thad’s well-earned reputation as a ‘quiet persuader’ has endeared him to all his colleagues,” McConnell said in a statement. “Whatever the issue at hand, his allies and adversaries have always admired his unfailingly even keel, sober expertise, and respectful demeanor.”
“Thad knows there’s a big difference between making a fuss and making a difference,” McConnell continued. “And the people of Mississippi — and our whole nation — have benefited from his steady determination to do the latter.”
The statement is likely directed at state Sen. Chris McDaniel, who Cochran defeated in a bitterly contested primary in 2014. McDaniel announced last week that he will challenge Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., in a GOP primary contest, but left the door open to running in a special election.
The primary for Wicker’s seat is June 5.
