Bid to Oust Lott From Leadership Considered (washingtonpost.com) Senate sources said allies of Lott have tried to stave off such a challenge by sending the message to colleagues that he would leave the Senate if he lost. McConnell warned in a conference call Friday night that Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D) would appoint Lott's successor, presumably a Democrat. That would put the Senate in an even split, 50 seats for each party.