Former Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran dies at 81
WASHINGTON – Retired Sen. Thad Cochran died Thursday morning at a nursing home in Oxford, Miss. at age 81, according to multiple media reports.
Cochran, a Mississippi Republican, served in the upper chamber for four decades. He was chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee from January 2015 until his resignation in April 2018. Cochran served in the House of Representatives from 1973-78.
Cochran was considered a moderate conservative. He was well-respected on both sides of the aisle and served as a mentor to many lawmakers, including fellow Mississippi Republican and former Senate Majority Leader, Trent Lott.
Lott told TMN last year that Cochran instilled in him the philosophy that judicial and executive branch nominees should be considered on the basis of merit rather than political ideology.
In March 2018, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) appointed then-state agriculture commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith to replace Cochran. The Republican was elected to the remainder of Cochran’s term last November after winning a runoff election that garnered significant media coverage. Hyde-Smith, the first woman to represent Mississippi in Washington, is up for re-election in 2021.
Cochran’s retirement was preceded by reports of failing health. He was on occasion seen in a wheelchair being escorted by staff into the Senate chamber for votes.
Cochran received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi, and also graduated from Ole Miss’ law school. The Mississippi native practiced law for several years before entering politics.
His wife of 50 years, Rose, died in 2014 after a long illness. The couple had two children. He married longtime aide Kaye Webber the following year.
President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans offered their condolences.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1134134203308752898
My statement regarding the passing of my friend and former colleague, Senator Thad Cochran. pic.twitter.com/PYl7NOjpBh
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) May 30, 2019
Thad Cochran was a giant in the United States Senate and one of the greatest champions Mississippi has ever known. My wife, Gayle, and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Cochran family at this time. My full statement. ⤵ https://t.co/YYfXkqffmc pic.twitter.com/1CpjcjLuIi
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) May 30, 2019
Mississippi has suffered a tremendous loss today. Senator Thad Cochran was an incredible leader and a most respected member of the United States Senate. Mississippi is a better place because of his leadership that was guided by wisdom and faith. pic.twitter.com/vEN1jJaZjc
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) May 30, 2019
This article is republished with permission from TMN
Bryan is an award-winning political journalist who has extensive experience covering Congress and Maryland state government.
His work includes coverage of the election of Donald Trump, the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and attorneys general William Barr and Jeff Sessions-as well as that of the Maryland General Assembly, Gov. Larry Hogan, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bryan has broken stories involving athletic and sexual assault scandals with the Baltimore Post-Examiner.
His original UMBC investigation gained international attention, was featured in People Magazine and he was interviewed by ABC’s “Good Morning America” and local radio stations. Bryan broke subsequent stories documenting UMBC’s omission of a sexual assault on their daily crime log and a federal investigation related to the university’s handling of an alleged sexual assault.