Chris McDaniel drops primary challenge to Roger Wicker, switches Senate races

Republican Chris McDaniel on Wednesday dropped his primary challenge against Sen. Roger Wicker in Mississippi, announcing he would run in the special election to replace Sen. Thad Cochran, who plans to resign at month’s end because he is in poor health.

McDaniel concluded that running in the special was an easier path to the Senate than trying to unseat Wicker, who has the support of President Trump and the GOP establishment. But he could face a task just as daunting if Republican Gov. Phil Bryant appoints a consensus conservative to succeed Cochran who also runs in the special.