Both POLITICO and CNN are reporting Gregg Harper, from Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional district, will retire at the end of his term this November. Gregg is finishing his 5th term. He chairs the House Administration Committee, a typically quiet place but front and center as various charges and innuendos have floated around the House regarding sexual harassment issues involving Congress critters and their staff members.
Gregg is 61. Some rumors around have said he was being noised around as a possible replacement for Senator Thad Cochran if that Magnolia State Menace decides to finally give in to his health issues and resign/retire. This is now less likely (although, if Cochran hangs it up early, who knows? Maybe Gregg will be appointed to keep the seat warm, a la Luther Strange?)
MS-3 is a diagonal swath across MS from the bottom left corner by Louisiana to the Alabama line, with an arm of the district line that jogs west to include the capital, Jackson. Cook gives the district a PVI of R +15, so this would be a steep hill for any Democrat wanting a shot at a now-open seat.
Shalom.