McConnell Urges Miss. Gov. to Fill Senate Seat If Cochran Resigns

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant to consider appointing himself to the Senate if Republican Sen. Thad Cochran resigns due to illness, The Washington Post reports.

Quoting two unnamed sources, the Post reported McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said that move would give the GOP a formidable candidate for any special election and would help Republicans keep control of the Senate.

Cochran, 80, is recuperating from a urinary tract infection. He was out for a couple of weeks and appears frail. He has not announced any plans to retire.

The Post said President Donald Trump backs the plan, though there are several other options under consideration.

Bryant's self-appointment would create problems for Mississippi state Sen. Chris McDaniel, a foe of McConnell. Two major Republican donors, hedge funder Robert Mercer and Illinois businessman Richard Uihlein, have donated more than $1 million to a super PAC set up to support McDaniel.

The Post said McConnell and Bryant dined together Tuesday before the State of the Union, which Bryant attended as the Senate Majority Leader's guest.

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