Lawmaker who nearly beat Cochran to run for his seat again

A Mississippi state lawmaker who came close to defeating U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran now says he'll run for the retiring senator's open seat. Republican state Sen. Chris McDaniel announced Wednesday that he will drop his primary challenge to incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker and instead seek the Magnolia State's other Senate seat.

An MSNBC political analyst is advising a GOP candidate with ties to white supremacists

MSNBC political analyst Rick Tyler, formerly a presidential campaign spokesperson for Ted Cruz who was fired for promoting a fake story, is currently "helping" Chris McDaniel, a Mississippi Republican waging his second attempted primary challenge for a Senate seat. McDaniel has a record of associating with extremists, neo-Confederates, and radio hosts with anti-Semitic views.

Bryant says he won’t appoint himself to US Senate

Mississippi's Republican governor took himself out of the mix Tuesday for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Thad Cochran, saying he'll find another strong contender to keep the seat firmly in GOP hands for decades, as Cochran did. "There's something nefarious about the idea of a governor appointing himself.

Mississippi’s Cochran to resign April 1 after four-decade congressional career

Longtime Republican Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi said Monday he will resign because of health problems - triggering what could be a chaotic special election to fill the seat he has held for a generation. Cochran, who turned 80 in December and has been in poor health, has been a sporadic presence on Capitol Hill in recent months.

AP NewsBreak: Miss. Sen. Thad Cochran resigning April 1

Longtime Republican Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi said Monday he will resign because of health problems - triggering what could be a chaotic special election to fill the seat he has held for a generation. Cochran, who turned 80 in December and has been in poor health, has been a sporadic presence on Capitol Hill in recent months.

GOP is clear favorite in a Mississippi special, but Democrats shouldn’t discount an upset

Sen. Thad Cochran announced Monday that he will vacate his seat on April 1, setting up a special election in Mississippi that will take place on Election Day in November. Republicans are favored to hold on to the seat in a state as red as Mississippi.

Trump-backed senator gets GOP primary foe in Mississippi

State Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, hugs his sons, Cambridge, 11, right and Chamberlain, 6, prior to announcing his candidacy to the U.S. Senate, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Ellisville, Miss. McDaniel will challenge current Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker.

The Latest: Democrat enters US Senate race in Mississippi

State Rep. David Baria of Bay St. Louis announced his intentions Wednesday, a day before candidates' qualifying deadline and the same day a Republican state lawmaker held an event to launch his own campaign for the Senate seat. Mississippi has not had a Democrat in the U.S. Senate since January 1989.

Challenge announced against Mississippi’s Sen. Roger Wicker Source: AP

A tea party-backed state lawmaker who came close to unseating one of Mississippi's U.S. senators during a bitter 2014 race announced Wednesday that he will challenge the state's other U.S. Republican senator, Roger Wicker. Republican Chris McDaniel had hinted at the decision for days and made the announcement at an afternoon rally in his hometown of Ellisville.

Challenge announced against Mississippi’s Sen. Roger Wicker

State Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, hugs his sons, Cambridge, 11, right and Chamberlain, 6, prior to announcing his candidacy to the U.S. Senate, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Ellisville, Miss. McDaniel will challenge current Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker.

McDaniel Set to Take On Wicker in MS Republican Primary

Republicans got a wake-up call regarding the perils of anti-incumbent primaries last year, when Alabama Sen. Luther Strange lost a runoff to Roy Moore, who in turn lost to Democrat Doug Jones at one time an unthinkable outcome. But not everyone sees danger.

Lawmakers Commence Fiscal 2018 Funding Bill Negotiations

A fiscal 2018 funding bill being negotiated is expected to provide a viable vehicle this year for advancing a meal and rest break provision for truckers which proponents argue would improve safety and efficiency. Congressional funding negotiators indicated they commenced work on their massive spending legislation, known as an omnibus, with a focus on wrapping up the measure in time to avoid a March 23 funding deadline.