From Mississippi Forward:

Jackson, MS- Live on statewide radio network SuperTalk Mississippi’s Paul Gallo show, Taylorsville native Nic Lott announced that he will file papers at the end of February to run for the 34th District of the Mississippi State Senate. Citing a family history of being brought into this world by a teenage mother living on welfare but eventually overcoming poverty and its stigma to become one of the rising stars of politics in Mississippi, Lott said that his grandmother’s advice to work hard and never give up is what has inspired him his entire life.

“My grandmother taught me that personal character and hard work are the keys to success in life, and I want to take those traits to work in Jackson on behalf of the communities of Jasper, Jones, Scott, and Smith counties.

We need someone in Jackson that understands how important it is to the people of District 34 to have a Senator who cares about our children getting a first-rate education, someone who believes strongly in supporting small business, and someone who will fight to maintain quality healthcare for everyone.”

Lott is currently the spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Corrections under the administration of Governor Haley Barbour. The seat is currently held by State Senator Billy Thames who announced earlier in the month that he would not seek reelection. A former aide to Senator Trent Lott and Congressman JC Watts, Nic gained national attention when he was elected the first African American Student Body President at Ole Miss. He is married to Jaye Espy of Clarksdale.