Bryant not interested in Cochran seat despite urging from Trump, McConnell

Gov. Phil Bryant is not interested in going to the U.S. Senate, despite urging from President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The Washington Post reported Thursday night that McConnell met with Bryant this week and asked the governor to appoint himself in the event that Sen. Thad Cochran stepped down in the coming months.

Sources close to Bryant told the Clarion Ledger after the Post report was published that Bryant is not interested in such a scenario. The sources did confirm the conversation with McConnell and also said the president had talked to Bryant about the same thing.

The same sources said Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves would be the leading candidate if Cochran steps down. Reeves is expected to run for governor next year. He announced this week that he had more than $5 million in his state campaign account. That money could not be rolled into a federal campaign because of federal campaign laws.

The governor's spokesman Thursday night also confirmed to the Clarion Ledger that Bryant and McConnell met but would not say anything about any discussions related to Cochran or his seat.

"Gov. Bryant was honored to meet with Sen. McConnell on Tuesday to discuss infrastructure and a range of issues important to Mississippi and America. Those conversations will remain private," Bryant spokesman Clay Chandler said. "The governor, like many Mississippians, thinks Sen. Cochran’s service has made our state stronger."

Speculation about Cochran, 80, stepping down has grown more intense since last fall. He has undergone multiple procedures and been hospitalized at least twice in the last six months, but his staff continues to maintain that he has faced no serious illness. Cochran has been absent from the Senate several times, which only fueled speculation about his health.

Bryant, 63, has always shrugged off the idea that he would run for a federal office after his term ends next year, and those closest to him say the idea of going to Washington has never been one of his big desires.

Nevertheless, Bryant's presence in Washington for the State of the Union rekindled rumors from last fall that the term-limited governor would consider taking Cochran’s place if he retires, as many have speculated in light of his ongoing health issues and repeated absences last year.

McConnell is interested in not only protecting the GOP majority in the midterms but also ensuring the Republican caucus remains strongly behind him as leader. One concern is state Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, who has been critical of McConnell and who was an insurgent challenger to Cochran in the beyond-weird 2014 GOP primary.

While it was once thought McDaniel would challenge Sen. Roger Wicker in this year’s GOP primary, the state senator’s multiple delays in announcing his plans have led most political watchers to believe he has settled on waiting for Cochran’s seat to become open, even if that is in 2020.

Bryant has quietly been considering options for Cochran’s replacement for months. Several people close to the governor have said one of the biggest considerations is appointing someone who could defeat McDaniel in a special election.

U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper was once thought to be the leading candidate to replace Cochran, but that seemed to change last year as concerns grew over whether he could beat McDaniel in a statewide race. Harper announced late last year that he would not run for re-election to the House, sparking a rush of candidates vying for the GOP nomination in the Third Congressional District.

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann is another possibility. After Bryant, he enjoys the highest name ID and approval ratings in the state. Hosemann, 70, is said to be looking at a run for lieutenant governor next year.

As for McDaniel, those closest to Bryant have said repeatedly that it is doubtful the governor would appoint him. McDaniel's protracted and often convoluted election challenge after a close runoff loss to Cochran, was said to have angered the governor, who supported Cochran and wanted McDaniel to get in line behind the Republican nominee.

Since then, McDaniel has worked to remain in the public eye, mainly through social media and speaking out on national issues where he has found platforms.

Remember Mississippi, a super PAC supporting McDaniel, has raised more than $1 million, with most of that coming from Robert Mercer and Richard Uihlein, both of whom have supported Republican candidates challenging establishment GOP incumbents.