Rural Development chief resigns to run for Chip Pickering’s post

The Mississippi Associated Press, 9/17/7

John Rounsaville, a former aide to Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering, R-Miss., said he plans to run for the seat being vacated by the 3rd District congressman.

Rounsaville, 32, on Thursday resigned his job as Mississippi director of the USDA Office of Rural Development.

“I’m getting ready and, in the next few weeks, will be formally announcing it,” Rounsaville told the Commercial Dispatch newspaper.