Governor Cindy Hyde-Smith appointed Republican Cindy Hyde Smith Phil Bryant will hold the Cochran seat through a special election on Nov. 6. She will be sworn-in Monday, and she is running to finish Cochran’s full term until 2020. Shelton, a 42 year-old Democrat, stated that his record as the mayor of the seventh-largest state city qualifies him to run for the race. Shelton released a statement, saying that he is a leader who has a track record of hard work and fiscal responsibility. He also offered himself as a candidate for the United States Senate. Shelton is the second Democrat who has announced his candidacy for the seat. Mike Espy, a former congressman and U.S. secretary of agriculture, announced that he would be running for the seat in March. After dropping his bid against Roger Wicker, anti-establishment Republican State Senator Chris McDaniel will also be running. Bryant announced Tuesday that the final list of candidates would be completed by April 24. Candidates from all parties are eligible to run for the special election. It is also non-partisan. No one will win a majority of 50 percent on Nov. 6. The top two vote-getters in the runoff will be determined on Nov. 27. As Senate Republicans in Washington fight to keep the majority control of the Democrats and to fend off any conservative challengers from right, this race is expected to attract strong national interest. The process for selecting Wicker candidates will be the same as the traditional party primaries that were held in June.