The Mississippi state senator who unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) last year is launching a PAC that he says will fight for “the survival of our republic.”
Chris McDaniel forced Cochran to a primary runoff last June, which the incumbent won by, in part, rallying Democratic voters to the polls.
McDaniel challenged the results, but that was dismissed in court. Cochran sailed to a seventh term in the general election and became chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.
“Following what happened in the Republican primary runoff for the U.S. Senate on June 24, 2014, conservatives are more ready for mobilization and action than ever,” McDaniel said in a statement. “I have the enviable position of having the best of the best thought-leaders in the state and across the country ready to devote their time, money and effort to do what is needed to be sure the truth of conservatism is never again misrepresented by the politically powerful like it was here.”
Who are those thought leaders? McDaniel said the executive committee members and “more details regarding the organizational structure and objectives of UCF” will be announced in the coming week when he embarks on a five-city tour across Mississippi.
“I said repeatedly over the past year that the campaign was not about me and I meant it. I know that can be a foreign concept for the politically and personally motivated,” McDaniel continued. “My only political ambition today is what it has been all along; to make sure our conservative movement is strong and gaining ground, solving problems and communicating effectively. The working people of this state can and must unite for the survival of our republic. If we fight for one another then we will win together.”
As for running for office in the future, he said he’s considering potential races “carefully with the counsel of my friends and family.”
“Whether I run for higher office or not, it makes little difference unless other conservatives are provided the resources and support to step up where they live,” McDaniel said. “This task does not rest on any one man’s shoulders. Simply stated, if we are divided we will fail. My driving purpose right now is to make sure we are not divided, but united.”
