January 18, 2006
Despite Hints, Lott Will Seek Fourth Term in the Senate
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 - Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi announced Tuesday that he would seek a fourth term in office, presenting a setback to Democratic hopes of winning control of the Senate in November and a threat of upheaval in the Senate Republican leadership next year.

Mr. Lott had dropped hints that he was considering leaving office, causing Democrats to look to Mississippi as a state where they would have a shot at victory without Mr. Lott's name on the ballot. Accordingly, Republicans pressed Mr. Lott not to abandon his political career.

Mr. Lott, who was forced out as majority leader three years ago after making remarks criticized as racially insensitive, has held open the door to running for a leadership position in the Senate assuming he wins re-election, perhaps even for majority leader again. It would not be easy: although the current majority leader, Bill Frist of Tennessee, is not running again, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is viewed as having broad support to win the post.

Mr. Lott's spokesman, Susan Irby, declined to discuss whether Mr. Lott would try to re-enter the leadership, saying: "One step at a time. He doesn't know what the future is going to bring."

Democrats need to pick up six seats to win control of the Senate. Right now, they have their eyes on Republican-controlled seats in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Ohio, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee and Arizona. At the same time, they are facing spirited Republican challenges to seats held by Democrats in Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey and potentially West Virginia.

Phil Singer, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign, said he was not discouraged by Mr. Lott's announcement. "Oh gosh - no," he said. "Absolutely not. We've been winning campaign 2006 so far."



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