Mike Espy announces run for Thad Cochran Senate seat

Former U.S. Rep. Mike Espy on Monday announced his "strong intention to run" for the U.S. Senate seat Thad Cochran announced he'll leave April 1.

"I just learned of the pending resignation of Sen. Cochran — a person I admire and respect, and who has done so much for Mississippi over his tenure," Espy, now a private attorney, said in a written statement. "However, now that he has announced his pending resignation I would like to declare my strong intention to run for the United States Senate (for the Cochran seat)."

More: How Thad Cochran's retirement impacts Mississippi midterm elections, political landscape

Espy said that since he left Washington, he has "witnessed with dismay the continuing dysfunction."

"I have proven that I can work with everyone as long as the goal is a better Mississippi," Espy said.

Espy served as a Democrat in the U.S. House representing the 2nd District from 1987 to 1993 — the first African-American to hold a Mississippi congressional seat since Reconstruction, then served as secretary of agriculture in the Clinton administration, the first African-American to hold that post.

More: Sen. Thad Cochran will retire April 1