Wicker Gets A Reprieve

The newest member of the Senate can now breathe a little easier.

The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the state's Republican Gov. Haley Barbour has the authority to schedule a special election in November to permanently replace former Sen. Trent Lott, the veteran Republican who abruptly quit in December to pursue a lobbying career.

The ruling is a big boost for his temporary replacement, Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, whom Barbour tapped on New Year's Eve to fill the vacant seat.

The Mississippi attorney general, who happens to be a Democrat, had challenged Barbour's decision to schedule to election in November, when voters in the predominantly Republican state head to the polls to elect a president. The decision should give Wicker a boost by maximizing GOP turnout. It also gives him more time to campaign and get settled as the state's acting senator.

The circuit court ruled against Barbour in January, arguing state laws were explicit that the governor must schedule a special election within 90 days of officially registering the vacancy. That would have forced Wicker to stand for election less than three months after assuming the seat.

Two prominent Democrats - former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and former Rep. Ronnie Shows - are also running.

The election will now be held on Nov. 4. The winner will fill out the remainder of Lott's term, which expires in 2012.