Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton announces run for U.S. Senate special election in Mississippi

Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton says he will run in the Nov. 6 special election for the U.S. Senate vacated by Thad Cochran.

Shelton made the announcement in a news release Tuesday morning. He becomes the second Democrat to enter the race, alongside former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy, who also represented the Delta in Congress. U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who Gov. Phil Bryant appointed to the seat, and state Sen. Chris McDaniel, both Republicans, are the only other two publicly declared candidates.

"Friends, thank you so much for the encouragement to enter the senate race," Shelton said in a Facebook post. "Now it is time to get to work and I need your help and support. Together, we can win in November!"

Multiple sources tell the Clarion Ledger that Shelton's decision to run is not the result of recruitment efforts from State Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, or national Democratic organizations.

These same sources say Schumer and national Democrats seem content to wait and see if a strong Democrat emerges. It appears Espy remains the early favorite among in-state Democratic leaders and fundraisers.

Shelton reportedly is being supported by at least one senior staffer for former U.S Rep. Travis Childers.

When Shelton was first elected mayor in 2013, he became the first Democrat to lead the city in 28 years. Re-elected in 2017, Shelton has enjoyed strong popularity despite a couple of high-profile events — including a police-involved shooting of an unarmed black man and the removal of the state flag from City Hall.

Shelton married 2013 Miss Mississippi Chelsea Rick on May 9, 2016, after a year-long engagement. The couple filed for divorce June 2, 2017, citing irreconcilable differences.

Read more:

Sam R. Hall column: Shelton faces challenging start as mayor

White House has unease over Cindy Hyde-Smith Senate appointment

Does Mike Espy have what it takes to win Thad Cochran's Senate seat?

Republican Andy Taggart eyeing challenge to Cindy Hyde-Smith for Senate seat

Senators bid farewell to Cochran, the 'Quiet Persuader'