Mississippi candidate seeks foothold in 2nd US Senate race

GREENWOOD, Miss. (AP) — Tea party favorite Chris McDaniel nearly dethroned a Mississippi political icon four years ago. He never conceded his Republican primary loss to longtime U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran in the state’s most bitterly fought election in a generation.

Now, McDaniel is running again for the same Senate seat, but money is harder to come by.

He didn’t receive the appointment to temporarily serve in the U.S. Senate when Cochran retired in April. In a special election to finish the term Cochran started, McDaniel lost another coveted prize: President Donald Trump’s endorsement.

The appointment, the endorsement and the fundraising advantages all belong to Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.

Gov. Phil Bryant appointed her to serve temporarily when Cochran retired in April.

Hyde-Smith, McDaniel and two others are competing in a November special election.