NYTWASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi, who was driven from the Republican leadership four years ago after he made a racially insensitive comment at a birthday party for Senator Strom Thurmond, returned to the Senate’s top ranks today, winning election as minority whip in the next session by a single vote.
Mr. Lott won the post over Senator Lamar Alexander, who had predicted on Tuesday that he had enough support to win. The 49 Republicans who will make up the new Senate chose Mr. Lott by a vote of 25 to 24, Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, who was defeated last week, told reporters.
“I’m honored to be a part of this leadership team to support Mitch McConnell and all of my colleagues to do a job that I’ve always really loved the most -- count the votes,” Mr. Lott said in a Capitol corridor appearance with other Republican leaders.
Mr. Lott, who turned 65 on Oct. 9, will be second in command to Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who was unanimously elected to be minority leader in the next Senate. Mr. McConnell had been the party whip while Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee was party leader. Mr. Frist is retiring from the Senate. ..........
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