McDaniel was retrospective when McDaniel discussed why he would abandon his challenge to Sen. Roger Wicker in order to run for the Senate seat that was left vacant by retiring Cochran. McDaniel stated, “What I have” is that I am running for the seat I ran in 2014. It was the seat we believed we won in 2014. “Now God had other plans, evidently, and that’s okay and we accept that. McDaniel rose to prominence in 2014 after he defeated Cochran in the Republican primary. However, he failed to win the required majority votes. After a three-week long runoff, Cochran won the election amid claims that Democrats improperly voted for McDaniel in the runoff for Cochran. McDaniel spent months contesting the election results in court, but to no avail. McDaniel spent months challenging the election results in court to no avail. He has spent the following months building and maintaining his base of Mississippi voters, who feel fed up with Washington’s power structures. This sentiment is what helped Trump ascend to the White House in 2016. McDaniel spoke for 30 minutes to reporters Thursday. He covered many topics: * McDaniel hopes that he will be the only Republican candidate in November’s special election, and hopes to get an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Trump had endorsed Wicker in McDaniel’s race that he dropped out. “I would love to have his endorsement (Trump’s). He supported me twice for this seat, in 2014 and 2015. However, he also wanted to consolidate the support around one candidate. * He will not withdraw from the race for Cochran’s old seat. Phil Bryant appoints. “They (potential appointments) cannot align with me philosophically, if (Senate major leader) Mitch McConnell gives them the seal of approval. McConnell will be down here planning and scheming, so I’m still in this race.” * He called on party unity, and stated that he was concerned about the possibility that Republicans could run for the special election seat, splitting Republican votes, and making it possible for a Democrat win. “I’m concerned about that. That’s why it is time to unite around one candidate. It is important to unite resources and manpower around one candidate – me – and to fight and win the Democrat. McDaniel announced his decision on Wednesday. Bryant issued a statement calling McDaniel’s move “opportunistic behavior” that “is sad commentary for young man who once was great potential.” McDaniel stated on Thursday. To his point, I would suggest that he did not think that I was opportunistic in my role as Jones County’s campaign chairman when he ran to be lieutenant governor. He didn’t believe I was opportunistic in helping him become governor. He found it opportunistic when Mitch McConnell said that he thought it was. Bryant responded on Thursday afternoon, denying any suggestion McConnell had influence over the governor’s appointment decision. Bryant tweeted Thursday, “Anyone who believes anyone in Washington can influence my appointment to complete Sen. Cochran’s terms is out-of touch with reality.”