Former Texas Rep. Ron Paul on Wednesday waded into the Mississippi Senate race, throwing his support behind state Sen. Chris McDaniel’s bid to unseat Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.
At the age of 83, Mr. Paul, a three-time presidential candidate, maintains a rock star status in the eyes of libertarians, including a new generation of leaders involved in Young Americans for Liberty and other groups that have attracted young activists.
“Conservatives who want more liberty and less government should get behind Chris McDaniel in Mississippi,” Mr. Paul said in a statement. “Our country desperately needs courageous leaders to stand up to the establishment in Washington. It’s why I endorsed Chris in 2014, and why I’m proud to endorse him in 2018. Mississippi and the rest of the country need Chris McDaniel in D.C.”
Ms. Hyde-Smith was appointed to the Senate seat this year after Sen. Thad Cochran resigned, citing health issues.
President Trump endorsed her re-election bid. He backed Mr. McDaniel in 2014 when he nearly defeated Mr. Cochran.
Former Rep. Mike Espy, a Democrat, is also running in the Nov. 6 special election.
If no one wins 50 percent of the vote in the special election, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff race on Nov. 27.
