Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi was elected chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee on Thursday, defeating Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada in the only contested GOP leadership contest.

Wicker touted the role he played in helping Sen. Thad Cochran, a fellow Mississippian, win a close GOP primary runoff over Tea Party challenger Chris McDaniel. Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour were among those whipping for Wicker.