Rep. Wicker named to Miss. Senate seat

JACKSON, Miss., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., has been selected to replace the retiring Trent Lott in the U.S. Senate.

The Republican National Committee said in a statement Monday that Wicker, 56, was "a shining example of the kind of dedication we all hope for in our public servants."

Wicker has represented Mississippi's 1st Congressional District since 1994 and was a two-term state senator.

U.S. President George Bush issued a statement after Wicker's appointment by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. Bush called Wicker an advocate for the military and healthcare reform.

Barbour didn't announce a date for an election to replace Wicker in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Lott, R-Miss., retired Dec. 18 after first being election to the Senate in 1988.