The Race Is On

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Almost before Bob Dole had finished announcing that he will resign his from the Senate on June 11, a fierce scramble began between two Mississippi Senators over who would replace him as majority leader. Majority whip Trent Lott and Republican Conference chairman Thad Cochran have both declared their candidacy. The two men have been rivals for much of their time together in Congress, which began when both were elected to the House in 1973. They have distinctly different styles and their relationship has been exacerbated by Lott's leapfrogging the senior Cochran and beating him to the position of majority whip in 1994. "They have never liked each other," says TIME's James Carney. "Lott is more conservative and at heart is really a House member who happens to be in the Senate. He belong to the more Gingrich-style Republicans. Cochran is not nearly as conservative or brash as Lott." Dole's unexpected announcement has drastically altered the character of a contest that Lott would have been favored to win. "Everyone expected this contest to be played out in November when the more moderate Republicans, like Nancy Kassebaum and Mark Hatfield, who are not seeking reelection would have left." Two other Senator might be candidates for the position. Senator Don Nickles of Oklahoma, who might forego the opportunity to be majority leader and seek the position of majority whip and Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico, a longtime friend of Bob Dole. "If either of these men decides to declare their candidacy, they will probably drain votes away from the conservative Lott," says Carney. -->