What They're Saying

Former U.S. Senator Trent Lott:

"Few elected officials in America have public service experience as vast and diverse as Roger's. He served on my Washington staff when I was in the U.S. House, and, before he was a congressman, he was an accomplished state legislator and Air Force officer. Roger has a working knowledge in the key areas important for a Mississippi senator: Including protecting and providing for our military personnel and bases; legislative experience and contacts that will enable him to secure needed federal projects for our state; and, coming from perhaps the most economically dynamic region of Mississippi, Roger can help all Mississippi communities secure more jobs."

President George W. Bush:

"I welcome Representative Wicker's appointment and commend Governor Barbour for the selection. Representative Wicker's leadership has earned the respect of his constituents and his colleagues in the House of Representatives. He is an advocate for our men and women in uniform and a champion of modernizing our health care system, and he shares Senator Lott's commitment to promote the interests of the people of Mississippi.

"I look forward to working with Roger in his new role representing Mississippi in the United States Senate."

Governor Haley Barbour:

"In my lifetime, no Governor of Mississippi has appointed a United States Senator; so you can imagine what a serious decision this one has been.

"To me, the first requirement was that the appointee share Senator Lott's conservative values and views and those of Senator Cochran. Congressman Roger Wicker clearly meets that test.

"He has a proven record of accomplishment in the Congress. He has been elected and re-elected seven times to the U.S. House of Representatives as well as three times to the State Senate. He is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and as such has effectively helped our state's local governments, federal facilities and industries obtain critical government support, whether those businesses and governments were on the Coast, in south or central Mississippi or in his own congressional district.

"Roger is a veteran. . . . a retired Air Force Reserve Colonel. He served in the 80's on the House leadership staff for then Republican Whip Trent Lott and, as a senior appropriator, he works very closely with Senator Thad Cochran.

"I can tell you personally that Congressman Roger Wicker made an enormous difference as Mississippi sought unprecedented federal assistance after Hurricane Katrina. Senator Cochran rightly gets first credit for leading the fight for our state in the Senate, but Congressman Wicker was indispensable in our prevailing in the House.

"Fellow Mississippians, this morning I appointed our new United States Senator, Roger Wicker."

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell:

"Gov. Barbour made a great choice, and Roger Wicker's many years of public service in the military, the State Senate and in Congress will help him have an immediate impact in the Senate."

U.S. Senator Thad Cochran:

"Governor Haley Barbour has chosen a very well qualified person to succeed Trent Lott in the U.S. Senate. I look forward to working with Roger Wicker to help ensure the continuation of strong influence for our state in Washington. He has been a very effective congressman, and as a member of the Appropriations Committee in the House, we have developed a close working relationship. Roger has the experience, the good judgment, as well as excellent character traits that will enable him to be a truly outstanding United States Senator."

U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions:

"Mississippi has had fabulous senatorial leadership and Roger is at that level. Thad and Trent have been the nation's best and he'll continue that quality."

Senator John Ensign, Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee:

"I commend Governor Barbour for his choice to replace Senator Trent Lott in the U.S. Senate today. I look forward to working with Congressman Roger Wicker both in the Senate and on his campaign in 2008."

RNC Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan:

"Roger Wicker has a history of standing up for the people of Mississippi and for the nation. His career -- from his time in the U.S. Air Force to his service in the Mississippi state Senate and the U.S. House to his many community and church activities -- is a shining example of the kind of dedication we all hope for in our public servants. His tireless efforts to bring good jobs to Mississippi, to support our veterans, and to support the fight against cancer show that Roger Wicker is someone who understands that public office represents an opportunity to do enormous good -- an opportunity I know he will take full advantage of in the U.S. Senate. As RNC Chairman, I would like to congratulate Roger and the state of Mississippi."

Former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson:

"I want to congratulate Senator Wicker on his appointment to the U.S. Senate. Roger is an old friend and I know he'll serve the people of Mississippi well. With Mississippi's two U.S Senators as my campaign co-chairs, I look forward to being successful in Mississippi's primary and sharing the ballot with Senator Wicker in November of 2008."

Rep Tom Cole (R-OK), Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee:

"I would like to congratulate Roger on his appointment to the U.S. Senate. He was a strong leader in the House and can now continue his work in the Senate representing Mississippi with the conservative principles that made him so valued by his constituents.

"Roger and I have worked together as Deputy Republican Whips in the House on various projects. These include efforts to assist Mississippi's recovery from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina and attempts to preserve and recognize the history of the Chickasaw Nation in its historic homeland in and around Tupelo. As both a fellow Republican and an enrolled Member of the Chickasaw Nation, I look forward to continuing our friendship and working partnership as he takes his place in the Senate.

"Mississippi's First Congressional District is a solid Republican seat and I am confident that it will elect another Republican to the U.S House of Representatives."

Rep Adam Putnam (R-FL), Chairman of the House Republican Conference:

"Congressman Roger Wicker's firm commitment to conservative principles and proven record of delivering for Mississippians will make him an excellent successor to Trent Lott in the United States Senate.

"As the top Republican on the VA appropriations subcommittee, Roger helped win the department the largest funding increase in its 77-year history. When the Democrat majority held up the measure as part of a cynical political ploy, Roger went to bat for our veterans and ensured the delivery of these much-needed resources.

"It has been my good fortune to serve with Roger in the House and I look forward to working with him to strengthen America in 2008."

Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), House Minority Leader

"As a freshman Republican Member of the historic 104th Congress, Roger Wicker came to Washington to make a difference and to fight for a smaller, more accountable government. Since then, he has worked hard to represent his constituents in Mississippi and has earned a reputation for integrity and results.

"Roger originally filled the seat held for 54 years by Rep. Jamie Whitten, one of the longest serving and most respected Members of the House. He has done a fine job upholding Jamie's high standard of public service, and I am confident the people of Mississippi's First District will elect another Republican to take Roger's place.

"As he takes on his new role in the Senate, I want to congratulate Roger and thank him for his 13 years of service to the House and to the Republican Conference. I wish Roger and his wife Gayle all the best."

State Sen. Ed Morgan-Hattiesburg

"I'm pleased with this selection," said Sen. Ed Morgan of Hattiesburg.

"He's a strong conservative. He's shown strong potential. Now he has the opportunity to fulfill that potential."

Morgan said that he is not concerned that Wicker is from the northern part of the state.

"Wicker has a great reputation for serving all people," he said. "I have no concerns that he won't make decisions for what's best for all of Mississippi. He does have to be re-elected. He's going to do the right thing."