Thad Cochran Announces Resignation From Senate

WASHINGTON, DC – Forty years after first being elected to the United States Senate, Thad Cochran announced Monday he is stepping down as of April 1. Cochran cited health concerns as the reason.

"I regret my health has become an ongoing challenge," he said in a statement.

When Cochran was elected in 1978, he became the first Republican in more than 100 years to be elected to statewide office.

"It has been a great honor to serve the people of Mississippi and our country," he said. "I've done my best to make decisions in the best interests of our nation."

Cochran, who is 80-years-old, was last elected in 2014 and has two years left on his term.

Before being elected to the senate, he served three terms in the House of Representatives.

Gov. Phil Bryant will picked his replacement to fill out the term.

There are reports that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has urged Bryant to appoint himself.

Photo courtesy Senator Cochran's Office