Here in the Magnolia State, we have had a history of leaders that gained seniority in Washington and made a big difference in this rural southern state. There have been billions of dollars over the years that have been directed to this state for many projects from infrastructure, disaster recovery, agriculture, airports, highways, bridges, health centers, fire, police departments, and more.
I remember back in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Our leadership in the United States Senate was tremendous with then Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott. They worked to bring billions of dollars to this state, that helped our recovery efforts and made a big difference in building back in a timely manner.
It means a lot to have seniority in Washington, D.C., especially to a rural state like Mississippi. Today, Mississippi’s senior U.S. Senator is Roger Wicker. The seniority he has built up is important to our state and if the GOP takes the senate in January 2025, he will be in line for chairmanship of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Wicker, who took Lott’s seat in December 2007 after Senator Lott’s retirement, has been a constant advocate for rural areas. I have called on Senator Wicker along with our congressional delegation many times for support for funding. Just this year when the Town of North Carrollton was applying for federal funding for a washout on Mill Drive in the amount of $258,000 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, I called on Senator Wicker’s office for support to bring this funding to North Carrollton. Senator Wicker and his office have always given great support in our local efforts here and across the state.
Wicker is the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee for the 118th Congress. Wicker is also a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, having served previously as the chairman and ranking member for the 116th and 117th Congresses, respectively. Prior to his service in the Senate, Wicker was elected seven times, beginning in 1994, to represent Mississippi’s First Congressional District in the House of Representatives. Before being elected to Congress, he served in the state Senate on behalf of Lee and Pontotoc counties.
I helped in several of Senator Wicker’s campaigns throughout the years and in 2024 as his Carroll County Chairman. There have been countless efforts that he has helped municipal and county governments across this state. His seniority is valuable to Mississippi just like the value of others before him. It makes a difference for our state and the towns and counties that make it up.
Ken Strachan serves as the mayor of North Carrollton and is a member of the Mississippi Municipal League board of directors.
