A Senator and a Representative from Mississippi; born in Pontotoc, Pontotoc County, Miss., July 5, 1951; graduated Pontotoc High School, Pontotoc, Miss., 1969; B.A., University of Mississippi, University, Miss., 1973; J.D., University of Mississippi, University, Miss. 1975; Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps; United States Air Force 1976-1980; United States Air Force Reserve 1980-2003; staff for United States Representative Trent Lott of Mississippi, House Committee on Rules 1980-1982; Tupelo, Miss., judge pro tem; Lee County, Miss., public defender 1984-1987; member of the Mississippi state senate 1988-1994; elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Fourth and to the six succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1995-December 31, 2007); resigned on December 31, 2007, to accept appointment to the Senate; appointed to the U.S. Senate on December 31, 2007, to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Chester Trent Lott; took oath of office on December 31, 2007; elected in 2008 in a special election for the term ending January 3, 2013; reelected in 2012 for the term ending January 3, 2019.