OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker is excited that his home state of Mississippi may finally have a voice in determining the next Republican presidential hopeful.

“I don’t typically endorse anyone,” Wicker told The Gazette Thursday afternoon. “I have no intention of doing it this year either.”

After checking national polling figures earlier in the day, Wicker said he noticed that former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum had a slight edge over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Santorum and Romney along with Texas Congressman Ron Paul and former Speaker Newt Gingrich are seeking the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

“For the first time, in years, Mississippi gets to play in this contest,” said Wicker. “The vote we make on March 13 will actually have a lot to do with who gets the nomination.”

Wicker said Mississippians need to “make their minds up soon” in regard to who they want to cast a ballot for in the state’s primary election next month.

“There’s a lot at stake,” Wicker said.

The 2012 Republican presidential campaign has seen multiple front-runners since the Iowa caucus.

Wicker attributes the ups and downs to indecisive voters: “Voters are looking for somebody that can win,” he said. “In doing so, they’re looking for the candidate that can capture the imagination of the base, and get conservative voters out to the polls.

“They’re also looking for someone who can attract independent voters,” he continued. “Voters are still assessing.”

When pressed again on which candidate meets those criteria, Wicker replied, “I think there are a couple that do,” he said, chuckling.