(CNN) Top aides to President Donald Trump told Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant in a phone call this week that the President would be sitting out the state's special election, an administration official told CNN Wednesday. The official initially said the conversation was between Trump and Bryant, but later clarified that it was actually top Trump aides who conveyed the message to the Mississippi Republican. Bryant on Wednesday tapped Hyde-Smith, the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, to replace Sen. Thad Cochran, who is retiring. There won't be a party primary for the special election in Mississippi and the election will be non-partisan, with no party identification for the candidates on the ballot.

Source: CNN March 21, 2018 19:08 UTC