Pickering and his wife, Leisha, and their sons live in rural Madison County.

In 2003, Pickering turned down a $1 million-dollar-a-year lobbying job as president of the Washington-based Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association.

His father, former U.S. Appeals Court Judge Charles Pickering Sr. of Laurel, said he is disappointed his son will leave public service.

“But putting his family first is the right decision,” the elder Pickering said. “Several years ago, Chip told me raising his boys is his greatest responsibility. I totally agree. Hopefully, he will be able to re-enter public service again sometime in the future.”

Since February, Chip Pickering has been the Mississippi chairman of Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign.