Former Sen. Thad Cochran dies

Published 10:19 am Thursday, May 30, 2019

Former U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, who served in Congress for more than 45 years, died Thursday morning at the age of 81 in Oxford.

Cochran’s death was announced by the office Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., who succeeded Cochran, according to online political news service The Hill.

Cochran, a Republican, served as a United States senator from Mississippi from 1978 to 2018. He was serving as Senate Appropriations Committee chairman when resigned from the Senate in April 2018 because of health concerns.

He previously served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1978.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.