Chris McDaniel was viewed as an up-and-comer in Mississippi Republican politics from nearly the moment he took office as a state senator in 2008.

Initially a darling of the establishment GOP, McDaniel took a more conservative track and often found himself to the right of leaders of his own party. He embraced the burgeoning tea party movement and it embraced him.

Against the GOP establishment's wishes, he challenged longtime Republican Sen. Thad Cochran in 2014. In a race that drew national attention, McDaniel nearly toppled Cochran, leading in the first primary vote but losing in a hotly contested runoff, fueled by millions of dollars from outside groups. McDaniel unsuccessfully challenged his loss in court but vowed to remain a force in Mississippi politics with the rallying cry, "Remember Mississippi." McDaniel's meteoric near-win has contributed into an overall right-ward shift in state Republican politics.

More:'Remember Mississippi?' Good Lord, how could we ever forget #MSSen 2014?

McDaniel initially entered the primary against incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, but withdrew and entered the special election after Cochran announced he was retiring April 1.

Here are some things to know about McDaniel:

Age: 47

Home: Ellisville

Occupation: attorney, three-term state senator

Self reflection: "I'm a Taft, Goldwater and Reagan Republican ... Reagan is the reason I am sitting here today, his leadership was something that mesmerized me ... My party has gone from Reagan -- the greatest communicator in my generation -- to Mitch McConnell, who I haven't heard be able to put two sentences together."

What others say: "Conservatives who want more liberty and less government should get behind Chris McDaniel in Mississippi. Our country desperately needs courageous leaders to stand up to the establishment in Washington." — former presidential candidate and congressman Ron Paul

Platform

Budget/spending: Vows to "reduce the scope and size of government," cut federal spending. Support's Sen. Rand Paul's Penny Plan to cut spending by one penny on the dollar every year until budget balanced. "I will never support or vote for a budget that adds one penny to the deficit without a declaration of war from Congress."

Immigration: Proponent of stronger border patrol, building "the wall" President Trump has proposed, "will stand strong against illegal immigration and DACA."

Trump tax cuts: Supports, questions "whether they went far enough."

Regulatory reform: Supports, vows to push for more. "Congress should take further control of the regulatory code emanating from the executive departments and institute reform."

Gun rights: Strongly supports and, "I will never vote for any legislation or regulation that infringes on our inalienable Second Amendment rights." Supports constitutional carry.

Abortion: Wants to end all federal funding for abortion providers, "We should protect innocent life ... "I will support federal judges and justices who are originalists in the mold of Justices Scalia, Thomas, and Gorsuch."

To see more of McDaniel's stance on issues, go to clarionledger.com.

More:Chris McDaniel on MSNBC to African-Americans: stop 'begging for federal government scraps'

More:Mississippi Senate candidates on bipartisanship, reaching across the aisle

More:'Phenomenal ... chaotic': What Mississippi Senate candidates say about President Trump