From Hotline ($):

GOPers
Ex-Netscape CEO Jim Barksdale
Businessman Dave Dennis
Ag. Undersec./ex-Cochran CoS Mark Keenum
Ex-Tupelo Mayor/ex-TVA chair Glenn McCullough
State Sen. Walter Michel
Rep. Chip Pickering (03)
Treas. Tate Reeves
‘07 LG candidate/state Sen. Charlie Ross
Outgoing LG Amy Tuck
Rep. Roger Wicker (01)

Dems
‘07 GOV nominee/’96 MS-03 nominee/atty John Arthur Eaves
Ex-Ag. Sec./ex-Rep. Mike Espy
‘06 nominee/state Rep. Erik Fleming
AG Jim Hood
Ex-Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson
Ex-Gov. Ray Mabus
Ex-AG Mike Moore
Ex-Gov. Ronnie Musgrove
Ex-Rep. Ronnie Shows
Rep. Gene Taylor (04)

So far, reports say that GOV Barbour (R) is not selecting Rep. Pickering (R) for the appointment. Rep. Wicker (R) seems to be preparing to run for the seat. Rs who have nixed any thoughts of running include GOV Barbour and LG-elect Bryant.

Outgoing LG Amy Tuck (R) would seem to have a direct line to the Governor’s ear since they worked together in his first term. Tuck is a party convert, becoming a Republican in 2002 after being a Democratic LG from 1999-2002. She was re-elected as an R in 2003 with 61% of the vote. She broke with the Ds because of her views on abortion, gay rights, and other issues. She would be one of very few pro-life women in the Senate (with IIRC Sen. Dole being the only current one).

Most of the MSM pundits see this as a safe Republican seat despite the expectation that ex-AG Mike Moore (D) and/or ex-GOV Musgrove (D) will get into the race.

Feel free to research the shortlist, pick your favorite and argue in the comments. It probably won’t affect the Governor’s decision, but you’re a junkie and you know it.

[UPDATE] More on Tuck since the comments seem to focus on her. The NRLC loves her.

Lt. Gov. Tuck has used the power of this office repeatedly to advance pro-life laws and obtained advice from National Right to Life officials. During her eight years in office, over 20 pieces of pro-life legislation have been enacted, 6 in 2004 alone….

With the [2000] national election between pro-abortion Democrat Al Gore and pro-life Republican George W. Bush, Tuck could no longer consider herself a Democrat. Primarily because of the abortion issue, I could not honestly call myself a Democrat anymore, she said.