Governor Bryant sets qualifying deadline for Senate election

Governor Phil Bryant has set November 6, 2018 as the special election date for United States Senate.

The need for a special election arose when former Senator Thad Cochran retired after more than 40 years of service to Mississippi. The qualifying deadline is 5 p.m. on April 24^th. If no candidate receives a majority of votes on November 6^th, a runoff will be held on November 27^th.

Those vying for Cochran’s seat so far are former Agriculture Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith, who Governor Bryant appointed to the seat until the election, Republican state Senator Chris McDaniel, former U.S Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy and Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton.