Cochran Ramps Up Fundraising

Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) “is increasing his fund-raising efforts amid speculation that he might retire instead of run for re-election next year,” the New York Times reports.

“Most members of Congress who are leaning toward retirement ease off the fund-raising circuit. But Mr. Cochran, who had nearly $774,000 on hand as of the end of June, is stocking his war chest to be prepared to run for a seventh term. Senate watchers believe that the longtime Republican has not definitively decided to run again, but is closely eying the possibility of his party regaining a majority next year, which could enable him to take over as chairman of the Appropriations Committee in what could be his final term.”