I want to say this about my state. When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We're proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years either.

Lott gave an interview with Black Entertainment Television explaining himself and repudiating Thurmond's former views. He never faced another contest nearly that close. 12 pp.

Upon Colmer's retirement Lott won Colmer's former seat in the House of Representatives. Republican Roger Wicker won the 2008 special election to replace him.