The Associated Press declared Sen. Thad Cochran the victor in Mississippi’s heated Republican Primary for the U.S. Senate. With 99.9% of precincts reporting, Cochran led with 50.8% of the vote and just over 6,000 more votes than Chris McDaniel. The June 24th runoff was truly remarkable with more than 60,000 votes being cast than in the June 3rd Primary (in an off-year election, no less).
CNN reported, “Cochran’s backers turned to Democrats, especially African-Americans, who make up 37% of the state’s population.” Breitbart added, “[A]allegations flew that Cochran allies were using ‘walking around money’ to incentivize Democrats to the polls. Democratic Party Chairman Rickey Cole, for instance, said Cochran operatives were paying people in the black community to donate to Cochran.” Such reports may inspire a McDaniel challenge since anyone who voted in the June 3rd Democrat Primary are ineligible to vote in the Republican runoff in accordance with state law (Mississippi Code § 23-15-575).
In accordance with Mississippi Code § 23-15-599, the Republican Party must certify the primary election vote by July 4th (within 10 Days of the election).
For more information:
- LiveBlog: Associated Press Calls the Race for Incumbent Senator Thad Cochran
- Cochran defeats McDaniel in tight Mississippi GOP Senate runoff race
- McDaniel may challenge Mississippi vote; Rangel wins
- MS Code § 23-15-575, Participation in Primary Election
- MS Code § 23-15-599, Tabulated statement of party vote
The Blessings of Liberty 