The front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, former president Donald Trump, has once again supported the senior U.S. senator from Mississippi in his reelection campaign. On Thursday, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social that he supports Senator Roger Wicker. Trump wrote, “Senator Roger Wicker is an amazing Senator for the Great State of Mississippi.” “Roger is putting a lot of effort into strengthening our military, defending our nation, and supporting our veterans in his capacity as the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.” “Roger is a Champion of Conservative Values, who fights to Uphold the Constitution and Protect our Second Amendment,” continued President Trump. It was an honor to have Senator Roger Wicker’s endorsement last year, and I wholeheartedly support him for reelection. Take a look at Wicker and Trump on March 12th! Wicker, a senator from the United States Senate since 2007, was one of the leading Republicans in the state to support Trump’s third presidential bid in mid-December 2023, just before the primary season began.
Compared to the other contenders in the race, the incumbent senator has a name ID advantage throughout the entire state and a financial edge. According to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Wicker has over $5 million in cash on hand, compared to $23,000 and $31,000 for Burton and Eubanks. Eubanks, who has represented State House District 25 since 2016, recently ran unopposed for reelection in 2023. Throughout his tenure in the Legislature, he has actively participated in the Freedom Caucus. After a stellar career in the US Marine Corps, Burton is a retired colonel, a decorated combat veteran, and a TOPGUN fighter pilot.
Trump has offered re-election
The action was taken the day before the Mississippi rally for Republican state senator Chris McDaniel, who is anticipated to declare his intention to challenge Wicker. Although McDaniel has long hinted at a potential Senate run, it’s unclear if he would challenge Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) in 2020 or take on Wicker right away. Cochran, who is 79 years old, may retire before his term expires due to health concerns. McDaniel teased an announcement on Monday night during a Facebook Live video, inviting followers to a rally on Wednesday. In the video, McDaniel stated, “You can probably read between the lines as to why I’ll be holding an event.” “We want to fight, and I can’t wait to have you back on my side.
” In that message, McDaniel discussed “the idea that we can run against strong established individuals,” igniting rumors that he would declare his intention to challenge Wicker. However, McDaniel’s potential outsider bid is complicated by Trump’s support for Wicker. Around the same time that former White House chief strategist Stephen Bannon was preparing for primary runs against Republican incumbents, McDaniel’s name began to surface as a potential rival to Wicker. The notion had been that, even if the president didn’t expressly weigh in, the endorsement of Bannon would give rebel politicians more legitimacy and associate them with Trump. But Bannon’s power has diminished since he disparaged one of Trump’s sons. Against Cochran, McDaniel ran an incredibly impressive 2014 primary. Racism charges were made against Cochran supporters, and a supporter of McDaniel posted images of Cochran’s bedridden wife in a nursing home, turning that race ugly. After losing by a narrow margin in a runoff, McDaniel also refused to accept defeat and was accused of voter fraud.
Trump supports Wicker as the main opposition draws near election
Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi, received a strong endorsement from President Donald Trump today, which helped the incumbent ahead of his anticipated high-profile primary challenge. The endorsement is a setback for Wicker’s prospective rival, conservative state senator Chris McDaniel, whose candidacy is largely dependent on gaining the support of the president’s core constituency. To get our massive tax cut bill completed and approved, @SenatorWicker of Mississippi has been a great supporter and incredible help,” Trump tweeted. Also very helpful in reducing regulations. I fully support him in getting re-elected!
Last year, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell personally urged Trump to back Wicker’s reelection campaign. Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, was threatening to back a primary challenge from McDaniel at the time. Supporting vulnerable incumbents like Wicker has become a top priority for McConnell. It remains to be seen if Wicker can rise to the top with Trump’s backing. Trump supported Sen. Luther Strange, the incumbent, in the Alabama special election held last year, but Strange was soundly defeated by Roy Moore, the conservative favorite.