Lawyers for Chris McDaniel say they expect to file a challenge of McDaniel’s June 24 GOP runoff loss to incumbent U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran within the next 10 days. Attorney Mitch Tyner said that despite “roadblocks” to access of voting records that have required lawsuits against county circuit clerks, the campaign has uncovered widespread illegal voting. He said it’s already enough to support a legal challenge of the Republican runoff, but the campaign is still gathering evidence and will not yet provide specifics. As has become the paradigm for the nasty, bitter battle between the six-term incumbent Republican and the tea party challenger, the Cochran campaign responded with a news conference shortly after the Wednesday McDaniel camp news conference. “Almost a month ago, Mississippians chose their Republican nominee,” said Cochran adviser Austin Barbour. “… They have still not presented one shred of evidence. … Sadly, with their lack of evidence, they fill that gap with rhetoric, grandstanding and fundraising appeals.”
“Mississippians are ready to move on,” Barbour said.
Tyner said illegal votes “of all types” including absentees, affidavits, vote buying and crossovers — people who improperly voted in the June 3 Democratic primary then again in the GOP runoff — have been found. He said that when it comes out, “you’re going to be astonished.”
But he said he is not going to present specific evidence until a challenge is filed or try the case in the media because, “We’re going to be mature about this.” He said that when the challenge is filed, the campaign will present the evidence to the public and to the U.S. attorney, the Federal Election Commission and state attorney general’s office. This drew applause from about 50 McDaniel supporters at the news conference outside Tyner’s Jackson law office.
Full Article: McDaniel lawyer: Expect runoff challenge within 10 days.