A longtime Lincoln County senator said Friday there were “no bigannouncements” to make regarding her political party affiliation orher elected office aspirations.

Democratic District 39 Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith acknowledged contactwith Republican Party representatives regarding a potential partyswitch, but she said no decision has been made.

“We’re thinking about it,” Hyde-Smith said. “They’ve approached me,but they always have.”

Hyde-Smith is in her third term as state senator for the districtthat includes Lincoln and Lawrence counties and part of SimpsonCounty. She is currently serving as the Senate AgricultureCommittee chairman.

There has been speculation that Hyde-Smith may run for stateagriculture commissioner. She said no decision has been maderegarding that possibility either.

“I think it would be a great opportunity,” she said. “But Icertainly enjoy serving as senator and representing the people ofDistrict 39.”

Current Agriculture Commissioner Lester Spell, a Republican,announced earlier this year that he will not seek a fifth term ascommissioner.