After graduating from [[Ole Miss]], Trent Lott was the staffer for Rules Committee chairman [[William Colmer]], a conservative Democrat. When Colmer retired in 1972, Lott ran as a Republican, receiving Colmer's endorsement.<ref>http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/12/16/timep.lott.tm/</ref>. In the House, Lott achieved prominence, serving as Minority Whip from 1981-1989. In 1988 he was elected to the United States Senate to succeed [[John Stennis]]. In the Senate he has served as Majority Leader and Minority Leader, and is currently serving as the Minority Whip. | After graduating from [[Ole Miss]], Trent Lott was the staffer for Rules Committee chairman [[William Colmer]], a conservative Democrat. When Colmer retired in 1972, Lott ran as a Republican, receiving Colmer's endorsement.<ref>http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/12/16/timep.lott.tm/</ref>. In the House, Lott achieved prominence, serving as Minority Whip from 1981-1989. In 1988 he was elected to the United States Senate to succeed [[John Stennis]]. In the Senate he has served as Majority Leader and Minority Leader, and is currently serving as the Minority Whip. |