Mayor Hudson to make run for Thompson’s seat in Congress

GREENVILLE — Greenville Mayor Heather McTeer Hudson says she’s preparing to run for Congress in Mississippi’s 2nd District.

The seat has been held since 1993 by Democrat Bennie Thompson of Bolton. It was not immediately clear whether he’s seeking another two-year term in 2012.

Hudson, a Democrat, says she has hired national Democratic political strategist and pollster, Celinda Lake.

Hudson tells the Delta Democrat Times newspaper in Greenville that she was attending a fundraiser Monday night in New York.

Thompson was chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee from 2006 through 2010, when Democrats held the majority. With Republicans now in the majority, he’s the committee’s ranking Democrat.

Hudson was elected Greenville mayor in 2003 and 2007. She said in January that she won’t seek a third term.