Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi TodayOmeria Scott endorses U.S. Senate candidate Howard Sherman for the June 26 runoff.

A long-time Mississippi lawmaker is endorsing Howard Sherman as the Democratic nominee for senator to challenge Republican Sen. Roger Wicker in the fall.

Rep. Omeria Scott, who placed third against Sherman and David Baria in the U.S. Senate primary Tuesday, announced the endorsement on Friday via Facebook Live.

“This is a time for unity and I encourage all of my supporters to vote for Howard Sherman,” Scott said. “This is a critical moment in our history… and I know what kind of positive change Howard Sherman will bring to our state.”

Sherman will face Baria, a state lawmaker from Bay St. Louis, in a runoff for the Democratic nomination on June 26.

In Lauderdale County, Scott received more total votes than Baria, with 542 to his 280. Sherman received 1,465 votes in the county.

Statewide, Scott received 24 to Sherman’s 32 percent and Baria’s 31 percent.

Sherman recognized Scott’s long history in state politics and thanked her for the nomination.

“This is about unity… This is the first step in the Democratic party coming together,” Sherman said. “And we are coming together because we have to be together in order to be victorious on Nov. 6.”

Sela Ward, an actress from Meridian and the wife of Sherman, called Scott, “a beautiful soul of a woman,” adding “We are so lucky to have her in our senate in our state of Mississippi.”

Sherman said he would expand on his previously published 100-day plan in the coming days as he prepared both for the June runoff and November election.

As for Wicker’s long history as the senator of Mississippi, Sherman said, “I think the people of Mississppi want more.”

Scott said she believes that as a businessman, Sherman would create jobs and opportunities to retain young Mississippians and expand a social net for the impoverished.

“Howard has checked every box for the party,” Scott said. “So I would again ask everyone to listen to Howard… and how he articulates his reasons for winning and his love for this state… then you’re going to get behind him as I have.”

In the Nov. 6 general election, the Democratic nominee will face Wicker, the Reform Party’s Shawn O’Hara of Hattiesburg and Libertarian Danny Bedwell of Columbus.

Wicker has held the Senate seat since late 2007. Mississippi last had a Democrat in the U.S. Senate in January 1989.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.