2014 United States Senate election in Mississippi

none January 2026 August 2022 2014 United States Senate election in Mississippi Mississippi Flag of Mississippi (1996–2020).svg presidential no 2008 United States Senate election in Mississippi 2008 2014 11 4 2018 United States Senate special election in Mississippi 2018 (special) 150x150px File:CochranThad(R-MS) (cropped)1.jpg Thad Cochran Republican Party (United States) 378,481 59.90% 170px County results 170px Congressional district results Cochran: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Childers: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% U.S. Senator Thad Cochran Republican Party (United States) Thad Cochran Republican Party (United States) File:Travischilders (cropped).jpg Travis Childers Democratic Party (United States) 239,439 37.89% The 2014 United States Senate election in Mississippi was held on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate. Incumbent Republican Senator Thad Cochran, first elected in 1978, ran for re-election to a seventh term.Cochran to Seek Re-Election in Mississippi http://blogs.rollcall.com/rothenblog/cochran-to-seek-re-election-in-mississippi/ Roll Call December 6, 2013 December 6, 2013 December 7, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131207151430/http://blogs.rollcall.com/rothenblog/cochran-to-seek-re-election-in-mississippi/ dead Primary elections were held on June 3, 2014. The election was notable for the contentious Republican primary between Cochran and a Tea Party-backed challenger, Chris McDaniel. After neither Cochran nor McDaniel received 50% of the vote in the primary, a runoff election was held on June 24, 2014. After narrowly defeating McDaniel in the runoff, Cochran defeated Democratic nominee Travis Childers, a former congressman, with nearly 60% of the vote. Background Thad Cochran was first elected to the Senate with a plurality of the vote in a three-way race in 1978. He was reelected with at least 61% of the vote in 1984, 1990, 1996, 2002, and 2008. Cochran was the last incumbent senator up for reelection in 2014 to declare whether he would run, causing widespread speculation that he would retire.Mississippi Senate race 2014: Guessing game over Thad Cochran run https://www.politico.com/story/2013/08/mississippi-senate-race-thad-cochran-95350.html Politico August 8, 2013 August 9, 2013https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2013/03/thad-cochran-too-early-on-2014-159825 Thad Cochran: Too early on 2014 Manu Raju politico.com May 20, 2013 Despite being urged to declare his intentions, Cochran said in August 2013, "I don't have a fixed date. But [I will decide] by the end of the year. You don't want to rush into these things." On November 12, he announced that he would reveal his plans by the end of the month.http://atr.rollcall.com/cochran-to-reveal-future-plans-by-end-of-the-month Cochran To Reveal Future Plans By End of the Month Emily Cahn Roll Call November 12, 2013 November 12, 2013 November 12, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131112165922/http://atr.rollcall.com/cochran-to-reveal-future-plans-by-end-of-the-month/ dead On December 6, he confirmed that he would run. Cochran's fundraising ability, powerful Senate committee assignments, and very high approval ratings meant that he was considered "unbeatable". Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Rickey Cole said that "in the very likely event that he does [run], we don't foresee a major Democratic challenger emerging."http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/10/ap_analysis_no_smooth_road_for.html AP analysis: No smooth road for U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran if he runs blog.gulflive.com October 27, 2013 Had he chosen to retire, a "stampede" was predicted in the Republican primary Speculation continues over Cochran's seat in the U.S. Senate: If a Senate seat opens, expect a stampede http://mississippipep.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/speculation-continues-over-cochrans-seat-in-the-u-s-senate-if-a-senate-seat-opens-expect-a-stampede/ Mississippi PEP July 23, 2012 July 22, 2013 and Democrats believed that a "properly positioned" candidate could have been competitive in the general election. Republican primary The United States Senate Republican primary election in Mississippi took place on June 3, 2014. Incumbent Republican Senator Thad Cochran, who had served in the position since 1978, ran for reelection to a seventh term. He was challenged for the nomination by State Senator Chris McDaniel, a Tea Party supporter, and Thomas Carey. Cochran and McDaniel received 49.0% and 49.5% of the vote, respectively. Since no candidate won a majority, a June 24 runoff election ensued. Cochran defeated McDaniel in the runoff, 51% to 49%.Todd Chuck June 4, 2014 Mississippi Runoff Bad News for Thad Cochran http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/mississippi-runoff-bad-news-thad-cochran-n122171 NBCNews.com New York City NBCUniversal June 4, 2014Burns Alexander COCHRAN WINS https://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/primary-election-2014-108258.html?hp=t1 June 25, 2014 Politico June 24, 2014 Controversially, Cochran's campaign invited Democrats to vote in the runoff, and Cochran-affiliated super PACs used racist themes in their primary ads, particularly the super-PAC All Citizens for Mississippi, which was funded (according to F.E.C. filings)July 15, 2014 REPORT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS http://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/073/14961619073/14961619073.pdf Federal Election CommissionOctober 15, 2014 REPORT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS http://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/589/14978300589/14978300589.pdf Federal Election Commission by a super-PAC affiliated with former governor Haley Barbour. Primary campaign Chris McDaniel declared his candidacy on October 17, 2013.Abby Livingston Tea Party Candidate Challenges Thad Cochran http://atr.rollcall.com/tea-party-candidate-challenges-thad-cochran/ Roll Call October 17, 2013 October 17, 2013 October 18, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131018045810/http://atr.rollcall.com/tea-party-candidate-challenges-thad-cochran/ dead He was immediately endorsed by the Club for Growth and Jim DeMint's Senate Conservatives Fund. McDaniel was initially thought to have no chance of beating Cochran in the primary, as summed up by the Jackson Free Press, who remarked that if McDaniel challenged Cochran, it would be the "beginning of [the] end of [his] political career".R.L. Nave Sen. Chris McDaniel to Announce Beginning of End of Political Career http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/weblogs/politics-blog/2013/oct/15/sen-chris-mcdaniel-to-announce-beginning-of-end-of/ Jackson Free Press October 15, 2012 October 17, 2013 Republican lobbyist Henry Barbour, the nephew of former governor Haley Barbour, said: "I think he will get his head handed to him, and that will be what he deserves. [But] it's a free country." Mississippi Republicans Wait for Cochran's Decision http://www.rollcall.com/news/mississippi_republicans_wait_for_cochrans_decision-227904-1.html Roll Call September 25, 2012 November 12, 2013 Abby Livingston Rather, McDaniel was believed to have declared his candidacy in the hope that Cochran wouldn't run, so that he could get "first crack" at the support of Tea Party groups and donors ahead of a competitive primary. Although the race was initially considered uncompetitive, McDaniel proved a serious challenger. Polling showed the lead swinging between the two and it eventually became a "50%-50% race".http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/could-tea-party-win-mississippi-change-2014-math-n121136 Could a Tea Party Win in Mississippi Change the 2014 Math? NBC News June 3, 2014 June 3, 2014 The race was considered a marquee establishment-versus-Tea Party fight and significant because Mississippi is the poorest state and Cochran's seniority and appropriating skills contrasted with the junior status of the rest of the state's congressional delegation.Most Fascinating Races of 2014: Mississippi Senate http://atr.rollcall.com/our-favorite-things-mississippi-senate/ Roll Call December 26, 2012 December 31, 2013 Abby Livingston December 29, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131229054747/http://atr.rollcall.com/our-favorite-things-mississippi-senate/ dead McDaniel was endorsed by politicians including Sarah Palin and Rick Santorum and organizations including Citizens United, Club for Growth, FreedomWorks, Madison Project, National Association for Gun Rights, Senate Conservatives Fund and Tea Party Express. By contrast, the Republican establishment rallied around Cochran, who was endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund and National Right to Life. The race was described as "nasty" and full of "bizarre" twists.http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2014/06/01/miss-voters-ready-end-senate-primary/9854249 Miss. voters ready for end to Senate primary The Clarion-Ledger June 2, 2014 June 3, 2014 Deborah Barfield Berry McDaniel's campaign attacked Cochran for being "an out-of-touch, big-spending Washington insider" and Cochran's replied that "McDaniel's voting record in the state Senate does not match his conservative rhetoric." Each side accused the other of distortions and outright lies.https://www.djournal.com/news/bruising-senate-battle-nears-finish/article_7f3c228d-e8ad-5b30-bf13-1c0da533ecbc.html Bruising Senate battle nears finish DJournal June 1, 2014 June 3, 2014 Bobby Harrison June 6, 2014 subscription https://web.archive.org/web/20140606221245/http://djournal.com/news/bruising-senate-battle-nears-finish/ live Cochran ran on his incumbency, seniority and the fact that he would become the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee if the Republicans retook control of the Senate.http://atr.rollcall.com/thad-cochran-for-senate-mississippi-appropriations Thad Cochran Runs on Incumbency, Appropriations in GOP Primary DJournal June 3, 2014 June 3, 2014 Kyle Trygstad June 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140605072154/http://atr.rollcall.com/thad-cochran-for-senate-mississippi-appropriations/ dead https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/06/03/will-mississippi-end-its-love-affair-with-seniority Will Mississippi End Its Love Affair With Seniority? Wall Street Journal June 3, 2014 June 3, 2014 Janet Hook In addition to ideological differences, the race also highlighted geographic divides in the state Republican Party.http://blogs.rollcall.com/rothenblog/mississippi-primary-cochran-delta Thad Cochran's Mississippi Roll Call June 3, 2014 June 3, 2014 Stuart Rothenberg June 5, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140605202424/http://blogs.rollcall.com/rothenblog/mississippi-primary-cochran-delta/ dead https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/03/upshot/mississippi-primary-fight-is-one-of-geography-as-well-as-ideology.html Mississippi Primary Fight Is One of Geography as Well as Ideology The New York Times June 2, 2014 June 3, 2014 Nate Cohn Tea Party blogger scandal In May 2014, a scandal emerged when Clayton Thomas Kelly, a McDaniel supporter, allegedly entered a nursing home where Cochran's bedridden wife was living and took pictures of her. Kelly posted the images as part of a video on his blog, intending to advance the rumor that Cochran was having affairs while his wife was receiving care.http://www.businessinsider.com/mississippi-senate-race-thad-cochran-chris-mcdaniel-wife-photo-2014-5 This Is The Single Nastiest Campaign Fight In America Business Insider May 20, 2014 June 3, 2014 Brett Logiurato Four people were arrested in connection with the incident. The connection to the McDaniel campaign was disputed. One of the arrested included McDaniel ally Mark Mayfield, who was vice chairman of the state's Tea Party.OHLHEISER ABBY The Bizarre Scandal That Could Tear Apart the Tea Party's Best Hope for a Primary Win http://www.thewire.com/politics/2014/05/the-bizarre-scandal-that-could-tear-apart-the-tea-partys-best-hope-for-a-primary-win/371504/ The Wire The Wire June 8, 2014 May 26, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140526135013/http://www.thewire.com/politics/2014/05/the-bizarre-scandal-that-could-tear-apart-the-tea-partys-best-hope-for-a-primary-win/371504/ dead In response, McDaniel said, "the violation of the privacy of Mrs. Cochran [was] out of bounds for politics and reprehensible."LoGiurato Brett A Top Mississippi Tea Party Official And Two Others Have Been Arrested In Connection With The Bizarre Senate Race https://www.businessinsider.com/mississippi-senate-arrest-cochran-wife-photo-rose-2014-5 Business Insider May 22, 2014 September 5, 2018 Racism scandal right 382px The Tea Party Intends To Prevent You From Voting. Several ads such as this one invoked claims of racism. Several ads of a similar nature were distributed via Twitter and resulted in a request for censure in front of the National GOP. Photo provided via The Hill (newspaper).https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/214665-cochran-backer-stands-by-racially-tinged-ads-in-miss-senate/ Cochran backer stands by racially tinged Mississippi ads. August 8, 2014http://spectator.org/articles/59766/who-paid-race-baiting-flier-mississippi Who Paid for Race-Baiting Flier in Mississippi? February 11, 2015 The American Spectator https://web.archive.org/web/20150212062641/http://spectator.org/articles/59766/who-paid-race-baiting-flier-mississippi February 12, 2015 dead A second scandal emerged during the primary when pro-Cochran ads appealed to African American voters by suggesting that Tea Party efforts to prevent Democrats from voting were racially motivated.Fund John http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/381187/flier-got-thad-cochran-elected-john-fund The Flier That Got Thad Cochran Elected? National Review July 25, 2014 August 18, 2014 Charges first surfacedDrucker David http://washingtonexaminer.com/democratic-activists-were-behind-controversial-klan-ads-in-mississippi/article/2551630# Democratic activists were behind controversial Klan ads in Mississippi Washington Examiner.Com August 4, 2014 August 7, 2014 that a small group of elderly Democratic women activists calling themselves Citizens for Progress were behind the controversy, but later facts as well as money trails show that money exchanged hands multiple times between Citizens for ProgressHall Sam http://www.clarionledger.com/story/dailyledes/2014/08/04/democrat-kkk-radio-ads/13584097 Harris denies anyone tied to Cochran involved in KKK ads ClarionLedger.Com August 5, 2014 August 7, 2014 and Mississippi Conservatives PAC. After the fallout of the primary election, Missouri Republican Party chairman Ed Martin wrote an op-ed calling for the censure of Henry Barbour for his role in the fundingJohnson Eliana http://www.nationalreview.com/article/383087/barbour-machines-mississippi-ad-war-eliana-johnson The Barbour Machine's Mississippi Ad War National Review July 18, 2014 August 22, 2014 of the advertisements. He also called for Barbour's censure at an RNC summer meeting in Chicago.https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/214665-cochran-backer-stands-by-racially-tinged-ads-in-miss-senate/ Cochran backer stands by racially tinged Mississippi ads The Hill August 8, 2014 August 22, 2014 Senator Ted Cruz appeared on the Mark Levin Show to discuss the Mississippi primary. He called for an investigation,http://www.marklevinshow.com/common/page.php?pt=Ted+Cruz%3A+We+Need+An+Investigation+Into+the+Mississippi+Race&id=10103 Ted Cruz: We Need An Investigation Into the Mississippi Race The Mark Levin Show July 7, 2014 August 29, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140903133720/http://www.marklevinshow.com/common/page.php?pt=Ted+Cruz%3A+We+Need+An+Investigation+Into+the+Mississippi+Race&id=10103 September 3, 2014 dead mdy-all saying, "the ads they ran were racially charged false attacks".Sullivan Sean https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/07/07/ted-cruz-slams-d-c-machine-over-mississippi-runoff-wants-voter-fraud-investigation Ted Cruz slams 'D.C. machine' over Mississippi runoff, wants voter-fraud investigation Washington Post July 25, 2014 August 27, 2014 Primary election results thumb|170px|Results by county #e27f7f Cochran #FFB2B2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% #FF9A50 McDaniel #FFB580 40–50% #FF9A50 50–60% #EE8E50 60–70% #D69850 70–80% #B98A35 80–90% The presence of a third candidate, Thomas Carey, opened the possibility that neither Cochran nor McDaniel would win a majority.https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/208000-will-mississippi-mudslinging-topple-first-senate-incumbent/ Biggest Super Tuesday casualty? The Hill June 3, 2014 June 3, 2014 Alexandra Jaffe Indeed, no candidate did, so a runoff between McDaniel and Cochran was required, and was held on June 24.https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/us/politics/cochran-and-mcdaniel-mississippi-primary-runoff.html Mississippi's G.O.P. Senate Primary Headed to a Runoff Martin Jonathan June 4, 2014 The New York Times June 4, 2014 The runoff was generally seen as advantageous to McDaniel.https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/is-there-a-favorite-in-the-republican-runoff-for-senate-in-mississippi/ https://web.archive.org/web/20171014133437/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/is-there-a-favorite-in-the-republican-runoff-for-senate-in-mississippi/ dead October 14, 2017 Is There a Favorite in the Republican Runoff For Senate in Mississippi? FiveThirtyEight Five Thirty Eight ENTEN HARRY June 5, 2014 June 8, 2014Clancy Dean The Tea Party Will Win One in Mississippi https://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/opinion-blog/2014/06/06/chris-mcdaniel-will-best-thad-cochran-in-mississippi-senate-runoff U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report June 8, 2014 Republican primary resultshttp://www.sos.ms.gov/page.aspx?s=7&s1=1&s2=172 2014 Republican Primary Results June 13, 2014 July 9, 2014 Secretary of State of Mississippi https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183322/http://www.sos.ms.gov/page.aspx?s=7&s1=1&s2=172 July 14, 2014 dead mdy-all Chris McDaniel Republican Party (United States) 157,733 49.46% Thad Cochran (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 156,315 49.02% Thomas Carey Republican Party (United States) 4,854 1.52% 318,902 100.00% After the election, the Hinds County Sheriff's Office announced it was investigating three McDaniel supporters who were locked inside the local courthouse, where primary ballots were held, on election night.http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/mcdaniel-supporters-courthouse-lockin Sheriff investigates Chris McDaniel aide after election-night incident MSNBC Sarlin Benjy June 8, 2014 It was later reported that the supporters would face no criminal charges.Sarlin Benjy 2014-06-05 McDaniel supporters in courthouse lock-in avoid charges https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/mcdaniel-supporters-avoid-charges-msna343521 2024-01-11 MSNBC.com en Runoff election thumb|170px|Results by county #e27f7f Cochran #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% #782121 80–90% #5fd35f McDaniel #5fd35f 50–60% #37c837 60–70% #2ca02c 70–80% #217821 80–90% The runoff was scheduled for June 24, three weeks after the primary. Despite trailing in most of the polls,http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2014/senate/ms/mississippi_senate_republican_primary_runoff-5094.html#polls polling data June 24, 2014 February 22, 2015 Real Clear Politics Cochran won with 51% of the vote to McDaniel's 49%. McDaniel once again won big in his native Pine Belt and in the heavily populated suburban Memphis DeSoto County, but Cochran got a surge in votes from African Americans who took advantage of the mixed primary. Many credited Cochran's win to the increase in black voters. Cochran won by 3,532 votes in the most Democratic, African-American precincts in Hinds County (the state's largest county, and home to Jackson). These precincts made up nearly half of Cochran's margin of victory.https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/10/upshot/voting-totals-reveal-crucial-boost-from-blacks-in-cochrans-victory.html?abt=0002&abg=0 precinct data July 9, 2014 February 22, 2015 The New York Times. Republican primary runoff resultshttp://www.sos.ms.gov/page.aspx?s=7&s1=1&s2=175 2014 Republican Primary Runoff Results July 7, 2014 July 9, 2014 Secretary of State of Mississippi https://web.archive.org/web/20140712132917/http://www.sos.ms.gov/page.aspx?s=7&s1=1&s2=175 July 12, 2014 dead mdy-all Republican Party (United States) Thad Cochran (incumbent) 194,932 51.00% +1.98% Republican Party (United States) Chris McDaniel 187,265 49.00% −0.46% 382,197 100.00% 0.00% Endorsements Thad Cochran U.S. senators John McCain, U.S. senator from Arizona Olympia Snowe, former U.S. senator from Mainehttp://www.olympiaslist.org/?page_id=289/ Olympia's List June 1, 2016 Roger Wicker, U.S. senator U.S. representatives Gregg Harper, U.S. representative Alan Nunnelee, U.S. representativehttp://djournal.com/news/cochran-will-run-re-election/ Breaking: Cochran says he will 'run hard and be successful' Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal December 6, 2013 February 11, 2014 February 21, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140221192238/http://djournal.com/news/cochran-will-run-re-election/ dead U.S. governors Phil Bryant, governor of MississippiMississippi leaders react to Thad Cochran's decision to seek seventh term in U.S. Senate http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/12/mississippi_leaders_react_to_t.html GulfLive.com December 6, 2013 December 6, 2013 Statewide officeholders Delbert Hosemann, secretary of state of Mississippi Stacey E. Pickering, state auditor of Mississippi Tate Reeves, lieutenant governor of Mississippi Organizations National Right to Lifehttp://www.nrlc.org/communications/releases/2014/release052114/ National Right to Life Endorses Sen. Thad Cochran for Re-Election | National Right to Life NRA Political Victory FundMississippi Grades & Endorsements https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/mississippi/ nrapvf.org NRA-PVF 15 February 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20141104211821/https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/mississippi 4 November 2014 usurpedhttp://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2014/03/25/nra-guns-thad-cochran-endorsement-mcdaniel/ OnPolitics - USA TODAY's politics blog USA TODAY March 23, 2018 Chris McDaniel U.S. senators Rick Santorum, former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, candidate for 2012 Republican presidential nomination U.S. representatives Ron Paul, former U.S. representative from Texas, candidate for 2012 presidential nominationhttp://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/25778940/former-pres-candidate-ron-paul-endorses-chris-mcdaniel Ron Paul endorses Chris McDaniel at Hattiesburg rally Charles Herrington March 23, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180319213811/http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/25778940/former-pres-candidate-ron-paul-endorses-chris-mcdaniel March 19, 2018 dead U.S. governors Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska, Republican vice-presidential candidate in 2008http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2014/03/13/sarah_palin_endorses_three_guys_who_might_be_senators_soon.html Sarah Palin Endorses Three Guys Who Might Be Senators Soon David Weigel March 13, 2014 March 23, 2018 Slate Mississippi state legislators Philip Gandy, state senatorhttps://mcdaniel2014.com/eight-mississippi-senators-endorse-mcdaniel-for-u-s-senate/ Eight Mississippi Senators Endorse McDaniel for U.S. Senate Chris McDaniel for U.S. Senate October 28, 2013 February 11, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140214062019/https://mcdaniel2014.com/eight-mississippi-senators-endorse-mcdaniel-for-u-s-senate/ February 14, 2014 dead Angela Hill, state senator Billy Hudson, state senator Chris Massey, state senator David Parker, state senator Dannie Reed, former state representative Tony Smith, state senator Melanie Sojourner, state senator Michael Watson, state senatorhttp://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20131018/NEWS01/310180008/McDaniel-tosses-hat-into-US-Senate-race McDaniel tosses hat into US Senate race Hattiesburg American Kemp Ed October 17, 2013 October 19, 2013 August 2026 InternetArchiveBot Lee Yancey, former state senator Local officeholders Hal Marx, mayor of Petal, Mississippi Individuals Bryan Fischer, host of the American Family Radio talk show Focal Pointhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HysGPoJqxg Bryan Fischer (speaker) June 24, 2014 RWW News: Bryan Fischer Campaigns For Chris McDaniel in Mississippi Right Wing Watch Allen Hamilton, chairman of the Mississippi Federation of College Republicans Michael Kelly, police chief of Seminary Mark Levin, The Mark Levin Showhttps://mcdaniel2014.com/mark-levin-endorses-chris-mcdaniel-for-u-s-senate/ The Mark Levin Show February 27, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140227040125/https://mcdaniel2014.com/mark-levin-endorses-chris-mcdaniel-for-u-s-senate/ February 27, 2014 dead Donald Trump, businessman and television personalityhttps://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/481433833515253760 Donald J. Trump on Twitter March 23, 2018 Organizations Citizens Unitedhttp://yallpolitics.com/index.php/yp/post/36843/ Chris McDaniel Endorsed By Citizens United Political Victory Fund Yall Politics January 28, 2014 February 11, 2014 Club for Growthhttps://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/chris-mcdaniel-thad-cochran-conservative-groups-98493.html Conservative groups back Thad Cochran opponent Politico Hohmann James October 17, 2013 October 19, 2013 FreedomWorkshttp://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/mississippi-tea-party-challenger-endorsed-by-freedomworks FreedomWorks Endorses Miss. GOP Primary Challenger Who Attended Neo-Confederate Conference Talking Points Memo Strauss Faniel October 28, 2013 October 29, 2013 Madison Project National Association for Gun Rightshttp://yallpolitics.com/index.php/yp/post/37056/ National Assn for Gun Rights PAC endorses Chris McDaniel Yall Politics February 19, 2014 February 28, 2014 Senate Conservatives Fund Tea Party Expresshttp://chrismcdanielforsenate.com/news/tea-party-express-endorses-chris-mcdaniel-for-us-senate#.UnphpPmGq90 Tea Party Express Endorses Chris McDaniel For U.S. Senate Chris McDaniel for Senate November 6, 2013 Young Americans for Libertyhttps://mcdaniel2014.com/about-chris/#endorsements About Chris Chris McDaniel for U.S. Senate February 28, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140228114518/https://mcdaniel2014.com/about-chris/#endorsements February 28, 2014 dead Media Mississippi Gun Newshttp://www.mississippigunnews.com/now-is-the-time-for-mississippi-gun-owners-to-make-a-change-in-washington/ https://archive.today/20140211234025/http://www.mississippigunnews.com/now-is-the-time-for-mississippi-gun-owners-to-make-a-change-in-washington/ usurped February 11, 2014 Now is the time for Mississippi Gun Owners to make a change in Washington Politico Criswell Dana January 4, 2014 February 11, 2014 Right Wing Newshttp://www.rightwingnews.com/column-2/right-wing-news-endorses-chris-mcdaniel-for-senate-in-mississippi/ Right Wing News Endorses Chris McDaniel for Senate in Mississippi Right Wing News Hawkins John February 18, 2014 February 28, 2014 Democratic primary Former Congressman Travis Childers had stated that he was interested in running, particularly if Cochran retired.Blake Aaron Ex-Rep. Travis Childers (D) considering run for Mississippi Senate seat https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/11/15/ex-rep-travis-childers-d-considering-run-for-mississippi-senate-seat/ November 19, 2013 Washington Post November 15, 2013 With Cochran facing a competitive primary, Childers announced in February 2014 that he was running.https://www.politico.com/story/2014/02/travis-childers-thad-cochran-mississippi-104097.html Travis Childers to run for Senate in Mississippi February 28, 2014 February 28, 2014 POLITICO Emily Schultheis Childers won the Democratic primary with 74% of the vote. Candidates Declared Travis Childers, former U.S. representativehttps://www.djournal.com/news/no-decision-yet-by-childers-on-senate-race/article_ffec3a5f-df89-52bb-af92-bdb473bb0f16.html No decision yet by Childers on Senate race Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal Harrison Bobby February 22, 2014 February 26, 2014 February 21, 2014 subscription https://web.archive.org/web/20140221231921/http://djournal.com/news/decision-yet-childers-senate-race/ live William Bond Compton Jr., candidate for governor of Mississippi in 2007 and 2011http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/03/political_buzz_alan_nunnelee_l.html Political buzz: Alan Nunnelee lone Mississippi congressman without a party primary The Mississippi Press March 1, 2014 March 1, 2014 Bill Marcy, former police officer and Republican nominee for the 2nd congressional district in 2010 and 2012Wagster Pettus Emily January 10, 2014 Ex-Republican running as Dem for US Senate in Mississippi http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/10/5249760/ex-republican-running-as-dem-for.html Sun Herald Biloxi, Mississippi Associated Press January 13, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140115031646/http://www.sunherald.com/2014/01/10/5249760/ex-republican-running-as-dem-for.html January 15, 2014 dead Jonathan Rawl Declined David Baria, state representative Jim Hood, Mississippi attorney general Bill Luckett, mayor of Clarksdale and candidate for governor in 2011Ken Strachan Cochran Retirement Could Be Interesting http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2012/sep/05/cochran-retirement-could-be-interesting/ Jackson Free Press September 5, 2012 July 1, 2013 Ray Mabus, U.S. secretary of the Navy and former governor of Mississippi Connie Moran, mayor of Ocean Springshttp://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2013/10/ap_analysis_no_smooth_road_for.html AP analysis: No smooth road for U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran if he runs Mississippi Press October 27, 2013 February 26, 2014 Ronnie Musgrove, former governor of Mississippi and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2008http://neshobademocrat.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=302&ArticleID=29832 PERRY/Who runs if Cochran doesn't? Perry Brian Neshoba Democrat July 31, 2013 October 18, 2013 October 22, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131022163108/http://neshobademocrat.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=302&ArticleID=29832 dead Brandon Presley, commissioner for the Northern District of the Mississippi Public Service CommissionSam R. Hall State Sen. Chris McDaniel to challenge U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20131017/NEWS/131017005/ The Clarion-Ledger October 17, 2013 October 19, 2013August 2026 InternetArchiveBot Gene Taylor, former U.S. representative Bennie Thompson, U.S. representative Results thumb|170px| Primary results by county: #002b84 Childers—>90% #0645b4 Childers—80–90% #1666cb Childers—70–80% #4389e3 Childers—60–70% #86b6f2 Childers—50–60% #b9d7ff Childers—40–50% Democratic primary resultshttp://www.sos.ms.gov/page.aspx?s=7&s1=1&s2=173 2014 Democrat Primary Results June 13, 2014 July 9, 2014 Secretary of State of Mississippi https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131404/http://www.sos.ms.gov/page.aspx?s=7&s1=1&s2=173 July 14, 2014 dead mdy-all Travis Childers Democratic Party (United States) 63,548 73.9% Bill Marcy Democratic Party (United States) 10,361 12.1% William Compton Democratic Party (United States) 8,465 9.9% Jonathan Rawl Democratic Party (United States) 3,492 4.1% 85,866 100.0% General election Campaign thumb|Childers campaigning for Senate Childers described himself as a "moderate to conservative" Democrat, highlighting his vote against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and his opposition to new gun-control measures, abortion and same-sex marriage.Alexander Burns Can a Democrat win in Mississippi? https://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/mississippi-2014-senate-election-democrat-travis-childers-107272.html Politico May 30, 2014 June 3, 2014 Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report2014 Senate Race Ratings for November 3, 2014 https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139256 The Cook Political Report September 20, 2018 Likely R November 3, 2014 Sabato's Crystal BallThe Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/the-crystal-balls-final-2014-picks/ Sabato's Crystal Ball September 20, 2018 Safe R November 3, 2014 Rothenberg Political Report2014 Senate Ratings http://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2014-senate-ratings-november-6-2014 Senate Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report September 20, 2018 Safe R November 3, 2014 Real Clear Politics2014 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2014 https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2014/senate/2014_elections_senate_map.html Real Clear Politics September 20, 2018 Likely R November 3, 2014 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ThadCochran (R) TravisChilders (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 15–17, 2013 502 ± 4.4% 50% 33% — 17%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports March 26–29, 2014 750 ± 4% 48% 31% 9% 12%Rasmussen Reports June 25–26, 2014 750 ± 4% 46% 34% 10% 9%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 10–13, 2014 691 ± 3.7% 40% 24% 5%Shawn O'Hara (Reform) 31% 41% 26% — 33%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov July 5–24, 2014 850 ± 5.7% 47% 32% 17% 5%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov August 18 – September 2, 2014 976 ± 4% 46% 31% 9% 15%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov September 20 – October 1, 2014 826 ± 4% 46% 35% 3% 16%CBS News/NYT/YouGov October 16–23, 2014 654 ± 7% 50% 28% 2% 20% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); With Cochran Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ThadCochran (R) JimHood (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 15–17, 2013 502 ± 4.4% 45% 43% — 12% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ThadCochran (R) RonnieMusgrove (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 15–17, 2013 502 ± 4.4% 50% 37% — 13% With Hosemann Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DelbertHosemann (R) TravisChilders (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 15–17, 2013 502 ± 4.4% 46% 36% — 19% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DelbertHosemann (R) JimHood (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 15–17, 2013 502 ± 4.4% 42% 41% — 17% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DelbertHosemann (R) RonnieMusgrove (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 15–17, 2013 502 ± 4.4% 46% 38% — 16% With McDaniel Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChrisMcDaniel (R) TravisChilders (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 15–17, 2013 502 ± 4.4% 41% 38% — 22%Rasmussen Reports March 26–29, 2014 750 ± 4% 47% 35% — 18%Public Policy Polling July 10–13, 2014 691 ± 3.7% 36% 37% 4% 23% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChrisMcDaniel (R) JimHood (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 15–17, 2013 502 ± 4.4% 41% 43% — 16% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChrisMcDaniel (R) RonnieMusgrove (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling November 15–17, 2013 502 ± 4.4% 44% 41% — 15% Results 2014 United States Senate election in Mississippi Republican Party (United States) Thad Cochran (incumbent) 378,481 59.90% −1.54% Democratic Party (United States) Travis Childers 239,439 37.89% −0.67% Reform Party (United States) Shawn O'Hara 13,938 2.21% N/A 631,858 100.00% N/A Republican Party (United States) By county Countyhttps://sos.ms.gov/elections/electionresults/2014General/certified%20results/US%20Senate%20Certification.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20230601221006/https://sos.ms.gov/elections/electionresults/2014General/certified%20results/US%20Senate%20Certification.pdf June 1, 2023 live US Senate Certification Hosemann Delbert Delbert Hosemann December 2, 2014 Secretary of State of Mississippi July 31, 2025Thad CochranRepublicanTravis ChildersDemocraticShawn O'HaraReformMarginTotal#%#%#%#%Adams4,36050.61%4,14248.08%1131.31%2182.53%8,615Alcorn4,30070.76%1,68627.74%911.50%2,61443.01%6,077Amite2,30658.53%1,52938.81%1052.66%77719.72%3,940Attala2,50860.30%1,57537.87%761.83%93322.43%4,159Benton92047.94%97050.55%291.51%-50-2.61%1,919Bolivar3,99646.93%4,41051.80%1081.27%-414-4.86%8,514Calhoun2,13662.71%1,22435.94%461.35%91226.78%3,406Carroll2,12768.88%90229.21%591.91%1,22539.67%3,088Chickasaw2,00246.56%2,26952.77%290.67%-267-6.21%4,300Choctaw1,52166.80%71331.31%431.89%80835.49%2,277Claiborne55125.29%1,61073.89%180.83%-1,059-48.60%2,179Clarke2,76066.78%1,27530.85%982.37%1,48535.93%4,133Clay2,79743.90%3,52255.28%520.82%-725-11.38%6,371Coahoma2,21844.71%2,67053.82%731.47%-452-9.11%4,961Copiah3,33051.91%2,95045.99%1352.10%3805.92%6,415Covington2,94057.46%2,00039.09%1773.46%94018.37%5,117DeSoto16,92066.85%7,53529.77%8573.39%9,38537.08%25,312Forrest9,19664.10%4,76633.22%3842.68%4,43030.88%14,346Franklin1,44563.43%79434.86%391.71%65128.58%2,278George3,33176.52%72816.72%2946.75%2,60359.80%4,353Greene1,70871.92%51721.77%1506.32%1,19150.15%2,375Grenada3,11155.83%2,37742.66%841.51%73413.17%5,572Hancock6,69973.00%2,00421.84%4745.17%4,69551.16%9,177Harrison22,11365.80%10,26930.56%1,2223.64%11,84435.25%33,604Hinds20,97540.98%29,60957.85%6001.17%-8,634-16.87%51,184Holmes1,31329.69%3,06969.40%400.90%-1,756-39.71%4,422Humphreys99043.65%1,26255.64%160.71%-272-11.99%2,268Issaquena19651.72%18147.76%20.53%153.96%379Itawamba3,25967.92%1,45230.26%871.81%1,80737.66%4,798Jackson21,39370.24%8,06526.48%9973.27%13,32843.76%30,455Jasper2,07344.29%2,49353.27%1142.44%-420-8.97%4,680Jefferson44423.19%1,45575.98%160.84%-1,011-52.79%1,915Jefferson Davis1,64441.25%2,26456.81%771.93%-620-15.56%3,985Jones9,44456.46%6,54039.10%7424.44%2,90417.36%16,726Kemper1,04345.05%1,24453.74%281.21%-201-8.68%2,315Lafayette6,31164.87%3,27833.70%1391.43%3,03331.18%9,728Lamar10,39976.47%2,78620.49%4133.04%7,61355.99%13,598Lauderdale10,35970.46%4,10927.95%2341.59%6,25042.51%14,702Lawrence2,14263.17%1,18334.89%661.95%95928.28%3,391Leake2,66756.91%1,92341.04%962.05%74415.88%4,686Lee11,79262.51%6,79035.99%2831.50%5,00226.51%18,865Leflore2,47242.34%3,33257.06%350.60%-860-14.73%5,839Lincoln5,27871.18%1,98726.80%1502.02%3,29144.38%7,415Lowndes8,24556.37%6,22942.59%1521.04%2,01613.78%14,626Madison16,35967.08%7,73731.73%2901.19%8,62235.36%24,386Marion4,06765.65%1,99732.24%1312.11%2,07033.41%6,195Marshall3,13042.98%4,00755.02%1462.00%-877-12.04%7,283Monroe4,55258.54%3,15040.51%740.95%1,40218.03%7,776Montgomery1,53956.05%1,15442.02%531.93%38514.02%2,746Neshoba4,52673.71%1,49524.35%1191.94%3,03149.36%6,140Newton3,60271.82%1,30826.08%1052.09%2,29445.74%5,015Noxubee86330.37%1,95868.90%210.74%-1,095-38.53%2,842Oktibbeha5,34058.77%3,68340.53%640.70%1,65718.23%9,087Panola3,53551.89%3,16546.46%1131.66%3705.43%6,813Pearl River7,94373.85%2,09619.49%7166.66%5,84754.37%10,755Perry1,81466.25%79829.15%1264.60%1,01637.11%2,738Pike4,20353.74%3,48144.51%1371.75%7229.23%7,821Pontotoc4,53969.71%1,83028.11%1422.18%2,70941.61%6,511Prentiss2,58849.00%2,63549.89%591.12%-47-0.89%5,282Quitman99839.73%1,46458.28%501.99%-466-18.55%2,512Rankin24,55276.44%6,84021.30%7282.27%17,71255.14%32,120Scott3,11762.19%1,80335.97%921.84%1,31426.22%5,012Sharkey53948.51%56050.41%121.08%-21-1.89%1,111Simpson4,34762.41%2,50235.92%1161.67%1,84526.49%6,965Smith2,89067.33%1,27629.73%1262.94%1,61437.60%4,292Stone2,88671.68%98024.34%1603.97%1,90647.34%4,026Sunflower2,00239.35%3,03259.59%541.06%-1,030-20.24%5,088Tallahatchie1,34046.33%1,50952.18%431.49%-169-5.84%2,892Tate3,15963.56%1,67633.72%1352.72%1,48329.84%4,970Tippah3,24366.99%1,51331.25%851.76%1,73035.74%4,841Tishomingo3,08866.80%1,42530.82%1102.38%1,66335.97%4,623Tunica64238.60%99559.83%261.56%-353-21.23%1,663Union3,99669.86%1,65528.93%691.21%2,34140.93%5,720Walthall2,28957.50%1,59840.14%942.36%69117.36%3,981Warren6,48058.22%4,44839.96%2021.81%2,03218.26%11,130Washington3,98745.93%4,58652.83%1071.23%-599-6.90%8,680Wayne2,38455.16%1,77341.02%1653.82%61114.14%4,322Webster2,11675.17%66123.48%381.35%1,45551.69%2,815Wilkinson84139.43%1,26759.40%251.17%-426-19.97%2,133Winston2,78355.72%2,15543.14%571.14%62812.57%4,995Yalobusha1,71053.06%1,46545.45%481.49%2457.60%3,223Yazoo2,75856.41%2,07442.42%571.17%68413.99%4,889Totals378,48159.90%239,43937.89%13,9382.21%139,04222.01%631,858 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Adams (largest city: Natchez) Issaquena (largest city: Mayersville) Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Benton (largest municipality: Ashland) Chickasaw (largest city: Houston) Prentiss (largest city: Booneville) right 170px Swing by county Legend #00a1c8 Democratic — +>15% #00bdec Democratic — +12.5–15% #09ceff Democratic — +10–12.5% #4bdbff Democratic — +7.5-10% #77e3ff Democratic — +5-7.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5–5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0-2.5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0-2.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5-5% #ff8080 Republican — +5-7.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5-10% #ff2a2a Republican — +10-12.5% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5-15% #d40000 Republican — +>15% 170px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #00a1c8 Democratic — +>15% #00bdec Democratic — +12.5–15% #09ceff Democratic — +10–12.5% #4bdbff Democratic — +7.5-10% #77e3ff Democratic — +5-7.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5–5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0-2.5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0-2.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5-5% #ff8080 Republican — +5-7.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5-10% #ff2a2a Republican — +10-12.5% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5-15% #d40000 Republican — +>15% 170px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold #0671b0 Flip Republican #f48882 Hold #ca0120 Flip By congressional district Cochran won three of four congressional districts.2012 President, 2014 Senate https://x.com/DrewSav/status/1950314948870959584 District Cochran Childers RepresentativeMississippi 1 1st 61% 37%Alan NunneleeMississippi 2 2nd 45% 54%Bennie ThompsonMississippi 3 3rd 65% 33%Gregg HarperMississippi 4 4th 68% 28%Steven Palazzo Aftermath In the aftermath of the runoff, the McDaniel campaign claimed there were indications of voter fraud.Wagster Pettus Emmily Home> Politics McDaniel Not Giving up GOP Runoff Against Cochran https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/mcdaniel-giving-gop-runoff-cochran-24386838 Associated Press July 2, 2014 July 1, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140703001133/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/mcdaniel-giving-gop-runoff-cochran-24386838 July 3, 2014 A day after the election results were certified by the state party, Senator Ted Cruz and some Tea Party groups backed an investigation of supposed voter fraud in the runoff election.Espo David Cruz, Tea Party Groups Want Probe of Miss. Runoff https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/miss-gop-certifies-cochran-victory-mcdaniel-24460341 ABC News Associated Press July 9, 2014 Cruz also told reporters that groups aligned with the Cochran campaign had run racially charged ads designed to persuade black voters to vote against McDaniel.Cruz wants investigation of Cochran-McDaniel runoff results http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/07/08/cruz-wants-investigation-of-cochran-mcdaniel-runoff-results/ CNN July 9, 2014 July 12, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140712090544/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/07/08/cruz-wants-investigation-of-cochran-mcdaniel-runoff-results/ dead McDaniel's legal challenge to the runoff election results failed.Chris McDaniel challenge tossed in Mississippi https://www.politico.com/story/2014/08/chris-mcdaniel-challenge-dismissed-mississippi-110453.html#ixzz3BpaK814B Politico August 30, 2014McDaniel v. Cochran http://courts.ms.gov/Images/Opinions/CO98646.pdf He unsuccessfully ran in the 2018 special election triggered by Cochran's resignation.2018-11-07 The Latest: Mississippi has 3 more weeks of US Senate race https://apnews.com/senate-elections-united-states-senate-general-news-6000fd9726d34e9cb3c3194e872262cf 2024-07-02 AP News en See also United States Politics Mississippi 2014 United States Senate elections 2014 United States elections References External links U.S. Senate elections in Mississippi, 2014 at Ballotpedia Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets 2014 Mississippi United States Senate