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A6 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 10 april 2018

Cindy Hyde-Smith sworn in as 1st female Mississippi senator

By LISA MASCARO and EM- runs a family cattle ranch, a Democrat who in 1986
ILY WAGSTER PETTUS the governor saw a history- became the first African-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Re- making appointment of a American since Recon-
publican Cindy Hyde-Smith Republican who had twice struction to win a congres-
made history Monday won statewide office and sional seat in Mississippi and
when she was sworn in as served 12 years in the state in 1993 became President
the first woman to repre- Senate, though she previ- Bill Clinton’s first agriculture
sent Mississippi in the U.S. ously had been a Demo- secretary.
Senate, a milestone that crat before switching to the The Democratic mayor
strategists hope will pro- GOP in 2010. of Tupelo, Jason Shelton,
pel the former agricultural Republican strategists are is also running, and the
commissioner and early now warily watching the deadline for candidates to
President Donald Trump Mississippi race. Republi- file for the race is later this
supporter when she faces cans should have a lock month.
a tough election in fall. on the state Trump easily Hyde-Smith is keeping most
Vice President Mike Pence Mississippi Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, left, is won, where Hyde-Smith co- staff members who worked
arrived at the Capitol to welcomed as the newest member of the U.S. Senate by chaired his Agriculture Poli- for Cochran, said Brad
swear her in as colleagues Vice President Mike Pence, right, as she is joined by her cy Advisory Council during White, who will stay on as
looked on. Hyde-Smith was husband, Michael Smith, center, and Mississippi Gov. Phil the election. chief of staff. She will serve
tapped by the state’s Gov. Bryant, far left, during a ceremonial swearing-in at the Old But she faces several chal- on the same committees
Phil Bryant as a surprise pick Senate Chamber, Monday, April 9, 2018, in the Capitol in lengers in the wide-open as Cochran — Appropria-
to fill the seat for GOP Sen. Washington. Nov. 6 special election to tions, Agriculture and Rules
Thad Cochran, 80, who re- Associated Press serve the remainder of Co- — but without leadership
signed April 1 amid health sippi GOP Sen. Roger Wick- for the state of Mississippi.” chran’s term, through Jan- roles. Cochran had been
concerns. er and others joined in the Hyde-Smith emerged as uary 2021. chairman of the powerful
“I know I speak for all sena- chamber. an unlikely choice to re- Among them is Republican Appropriations Committee.
tors on both sides of the In a twitter message, Hyde- place Cochran after Bry- Chris McDaniel, a tea-party White said Hyde-Smith will
aisle in welcoming our new Smith said she was “grate- ant declined suggestions conservative state sena- keep the three offices Co-
colleague,” said Senate ful and honored” as she from Trump and other GOP tor who almost toppled chran had in Mississippi,
Majority Leader Mitch Mc- started the day, “pretty his- leaders to appoint himself. Cochran in a primary four in Jackson, Oxford and
Connell, R-Ky. Fellow Missis- toric in my life, for sure, and But in the 58-year-old who years ago, and Mike Espy, Gulfport.q

No big deal: Melania Trump

comforts student at event

feels “energized,” acciden- challenges, to “help chil- The oval-shaped Blue Room
tally knocked a drinking dren everywhere do their can seem formidable, with
glass off a table. He froze, best.” its view of the South Lawn
but the first lady put a com- She began the session by in one direction, the White
forting hand on his back. writing on the board her House’s North-facing front
“No problem,” she said. own feelings: “Excited.” door in the other and the
“Don’t worry, it’s just a wa- The children, two of whom portraits of presidents on
ter, okay?” had been home schooled the walls.
Mrs. Trump said she had according to the White The White House said chil-
gathered the children at House, wrote that they felt, dren were ages 10 to 13.
the White House to hear “respected,” ‘’grateful” The Trumps’ son, Barron, is

First lady Melania Trump speaks during a discussion with about their thoughts and and “nervous.” 12.q
students regarding the issues they are facing in the Blue Room
of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 9, 2018.
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Me- up like a classroom. Mrs.
lania Trump says spilled wa- Trump and Education Sec-
ter — even on-camera in a retary Betsy DeVos asked a
famous house — is no big group of 13 middle school
deal. students to write on a board
It happened Monday in how they were feeling. To-
the Blue Room of the White ward the end, one student /arubatoday/
House, which had been set who had just written that he