Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) on Monday appointed Rep. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) to fill the vacancy left by Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), who resigned earlier this month.

“I commend Governor Barbour for his choice to replace Senator Trent Lott in the U.S. Senate today,” National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Ensign (Nev.) said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Congressman Roger Wicker both in the Senate and on his campaign in 2008.”

A special election to fill the remaining four years of Lott’s term will be held sometime in 2008, but the exact date is not altogether clear. Barbour has insisted the special should be held concurrently with the November general election, but Democrats believe the election must be held in early spring and are threatening legal action if Barbour holds firm to his plans.

Either way, Wicker would be favored to hold the Senate seat. Possible Democratic candidates include ex-Govs. Ronnie Musgrove and Ray Mabus.

A special election also will be scheduled to fill Wicker’s House seat, and Republicans are favored to win that as well.