District Attorney Dunn Lampton said he is looking forward to thechallenge of serving as U.S. Attorney for the SouthernDistrict.

Lampton, the district attorney for Lincoln, Pike and Walthallcounties for the last 20 years, was recommended for the federalpost Monday by U.S. Sens. Thad Cochran and Trent Lott.

“I’m excited,” Lampton said. “It’s a real honor for the senatorsto have that kind of confidence in me.”

Lampton was among four people nominated for federal officesMonday. Others included Jim Greenlee, of Oxford, for the NorthernDistrict U.S. Attorney post; Larry Wagster, of Oxford, for theNorthern District U.S. Marshal position and Nehemiah Flowers, ofBrandon, for the Southern District U.S. Marshal post.

“I think all of them have the qualifications and abilities thatwill enable them to serve with distinction in these importantpositions,” Cochran said in a statement.

Lott touted their combination of experience, integrity andbalance.

“I believe the new administration and our country will bewell-served by these outstanding people,” Lott said.

Lampton expected it would be a while before he takes office. Hesaid President George W. Bush will have to accept the senators’recommendation, a background check would be done, and then the U.S.Senate would have to confirm the choice.

“I hope all that goes smoothly and to be on board sometime inMay,” said Lampton, adding that he will continue as DA until heassumes his new duties.

Lampton would replace Brad Pigott, who resigned earlier thismonth. Gov. Ronnie Musgrove would appoint Lampton’s replacement asdistrict attorney until an election could be held.

In addition to being district attorney, Lampton serves as StaffJudge Advocate for the 155th Separate Armored Brigade with the ArmyNational Guard. He received his law degree in 1975 from theUniversity of Mississippi School of Law and practiced law withPhillips, Regan and Lampton for four years.

Official word of the U.S. Attorney nomination was good news atLampton’s Brookhaven office Monday.

“I think it’s great,” said Assistant District Attorney JerryRushing. “I feel like he’ll do a good job.”

With Lampton’s move to the federal level, some of his assistantscould be going with him. Moving into the office will not be a”clean house” situation, he said, but there will be some jobopenings.

“I’ll have to see how many openings there will be and go fromthere,” Lampton said.

Lampton credited his assistants with helping him succeed.

“I’ve got great assistants. I didn’t do this by myself,” saidLampton, who made unsuccessful runs for the U.S. House ofRepresentatives in 1998 and 2000.

In those campaigns, Lampton carried a message of helping lawenforcement fight crime on a local level. Expressing similarsentiments Monday, Lampton indicated his time as district attorneywill serve him well in his new duties.

“I can take what I’ve learned, especially from working withlocal law enforcement, and really be in a position to help them,”Lampton said.