Mississippi Republican Senator Cochran to seek seventh term

By Thomas Ferraro WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi announced on Friday that he will run for re-election next year, ending speculation that one of the longest serving Republicans was ready to retire and avoid a Tea Party-backed primary challenge. "I will run hard and be successful so that I can continue to serve the people of Mississippi and our nation effectively," Cochran, who turns 76 on Saturday, said in a statement issued by his office. Cochran first disclosed his decision earlier in the day in an interview with a Mississippi newspaper. Cochran faces what may become a highly competitive Republican primary challenge from Mississippi state Senator Chris McDaniel, a favorite of the anti-Washington Tea Party movement.

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