Former Sen. Thad Cochran, who in 1978 became the first Republican from Mississippi in a century to be elected to the U.S. Senate, and went on to serve almost 40 years in the chamber, died after a long illness.
Mr. Cochran, who left his Senate seat last year citing poor health, was 81 years old. His death on Thursday was announced by the office of his successor, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R., Miss.).
A career politician who held several GOP leadership positions in the Senate, Mr. Cochran was known as an expert navigator of the chamber's legislative process who used a cordial manner to influence his colleagues. In naming him one of the 10 best senators in 2006, Time Magazine called him a “quiet persuader.”
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