Mississippi Challenger Gains on Thad Cochran in Fundraising

Mississippi Republican Sen. Thad Cochran's tea party challenger, shown in recent polls as within striking distance of the GOP's second-most senior member in the Senate, is chasing the veteran incumbent on the fundraising trail as well.

Mississippi Republican state Sen. Chris McDaniel, who is supported by conservative groups, including Club for Growth, FreedomWorks and the Senate Conservatives Fund — all with national fundraising networks — has raised $500,000 in his first 10 weeks in the race, The Hill reported Wednesday.

McDaniel has $350,000 in the bank for the race, The Hill reported.

"All across Mississippi and all across the nation, we're seeing tremendous enthusiasm and excitement as grassroots conservative activists are uniting behind our campaign," McDaniel said.

"Conservatives are clamoring for new leaders in Washington who will fight to repeal Obamacare, rein in federal spending, and protect our traditional values. With such a groundswell of enthusiasm, I am confident we will succeed on June 3rd."

Cochran hasn't yet released his fundraising figures, but he had $800,000 through the end of September.

The GOP incumbent didn't declare he would run for re-election until early December.

He has held fundraisers in Washington and at a local event Tuesday night, and has raked in an impressive $300,000, the Clarion Ledger reports.

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