McDaniel is not yet qualified to run for re-election in his state Senate position, which covers most of Jones County, and a small portion of Forrest. March 1 is the qualifying deadline. McDaniel stated Wednesday that he was speaking with the president during the legislative session at state Capitol. McDaniel said Wednesday that McDaniel wanted to help. It will be fascinating. “We have had some conversations and he has been very supportive.” In April last year, the president supported Cindy Hyde-Smith and campaigned for her in the special Senate election to replace Thad Cochran, a long-time senator who resigned in April due to health reasons. The special election was won by Hyde-Smith. McDaniel was third. McDaniel was third in 2014. In 2014, McDaniel (a lesser-known Tea Party candidate) nearly beat veteran Cochran. McDaniel is rumored be running for a variety of posts in this year’s elections. These could include governor, lieutenant governor, or attorney general. He did not rule out a run for re-election in his state Senate position on Wednesday. He is nearing the end of his third term. He said, “Everything’s on the table.” McDaniel’s standing with the Republican establishment was strengthened when, after finishing third in November’s special Senate election, he endorsed Hyde Smith for the runoff against Mike Espy, former U.S Secretary of Agriculture. Knox Graham, a spokesperson for Gov. Phil Bryant said that McDaniel knows McDaniel spoke. Knox Graham, a spokesman for Gov. Bryant appointed Hyde Smith to the Senate post in interim before the special elections. “We have been on opposing sides of a few elections.” But I wish him well. Politics is not a science. You never know what the future holds. It’s possible that things could change at any moment.” So far, no Republican has been qualified to run in McDaniel for McDaniel District 42 Senate seat. The state party has not made public the list of Democrats who are qualified to run in various state and district-wide office races.