
(Congress Bio Directory)
Even opponents call Cochran, the senior senator from Mississippi, a gentleman. He also happens to hold one of the safest seats in the Senate. Reelected in 2008, Cochran's 6th term will end in 2015.
A former chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and the Agriculture Committee, Cochran is known for sending federal money home to Mississippi, especially in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and for ardently supporting farm subsidies.
- Committees: Appropriations Committee (ranking member and former chairman); Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee (former chairman); Rules Committee
- DC Office: 113 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510-2402, 202-224-5054
- State Offices: 188 East Capitol Street, Suite 614Jackson, Miss. 39201601-965-4459; U.S. Federal Courthouse, 911 East Jackson Avenue,Suite 249Oxford, Miss. 38655662-236-1018; 2012 15th Street, Suite 451; Gulfport, Miss. 39501, 228-867-9710
- Web site
Cochran was born in Pontotoc, Miss., on December 7, 1937 to William Holmes Cochran, a principal, and Emma Grace Cochran, a teacher. The family spent the summers at the University of Mississippi, where William and Emma earned masters' degrees, and Blue Mountain College, where they were on the faculty. Both parents were involved in Democratic political campaigns and took Thad along to deliver pamphlets or help register voters.
Young Thad became an Eagle Scout, class valedictorian, and earned varsity letters in high school in football, basketball, baseball and tennis. Cochran went on to graduate from the University of Mississippi in 1959 with a degree in psychology and political science. He was the vice president of the student body, a cheerleader, and a member of the Navy ROTC.
Cochran voted with the majority of Republicans 86.7 percent of the time in the 110th Congress.
The Economy
In October 2008, Cochran voted against the $700 billion bailout package crafted by the Bush administration. In a statement, he said, "I am disappointed that the [Bush] Administration has not used its existing powers to assist the financial community in dealing more effectively with our national economic crisis," and pledged to work toward a recovery plan he was satisfied with.
Cochran made multiple endorsements in the 2008 presidential campaign. Initially, he endorsed former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.). When Thompson dropped out in January 2008, Cochran switched his allegiance to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R). At the time, Cochran said of eventual Republican nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."
Barely two weeks later, Romney dropped out of the race and Cochran issued this lackluster endorsement of McCain: "I am supporting John McCain for the Republican nomination for President. I supported Romney because I thought he would be the better choice for President."
- Almanac of American Politics, 2008 edition, National Journal
- The U.S. Congress Votes Database, Washington Post,
- Reilly, Sean, "Both Mississippi senators vote against stimulus," The Mississippi Press, Feb. 11, 2009,
- Reilly, Sean, "Alabama, Mississippi senators vote no on bailout," Mobile, Alabama Press-Register, Oct. 2, 2008,
- Biography, Sen. Thad Cochran's Web site
- Almanac of American Politics, 2008 edition, National Journal
- "Thad Cochran: The Quiet Persuader," TIME, April 14, 2006,
- Frederick, Don, "Thad Cochran changes his tune on John McCain," Los Angeles Times, Feb. 7, 2008
- Kranish, Michael, "Famed McCain temper is tamed," Boston Globe, Jan. 27, 2008
- Biography, Sen. Thad Cochran's Web site
- "Senate roll call: How they voted on stimulus bill," AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, Feb. 9, 2009,
- The Senate Bailout Vote, Politico, Oct. 1, 2008,
- Radelat, Ana, "Cochran to wield more power," Gannett News Service, Nov. 29, 2002, Lexis-Nexis
- Pickler, Nedra, "Ex-Cochran aid pleads guilty in corruption probe," Associated Press, March 10, 2009,
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