By Rupert Howell

In an election that may have political scientists studying for years, Panola County and Mississippi’s participation went against the grain while drawing more voters in a primary runoff than in the first, held June 3.

While statewide vote totals in Tuesday’s Republican Primary Runoff election favored incumbent Republican Thad Cochran, Panola voters favored his Republican challenger, Chris McDaniel, who received 1,730 votes to Cochran’s 1,345.

Approximately 3,075 voted in the runoff, a 29 percent increase over the June 3 first primary. In that election, Cochran’s Panola totals led McDaniels 1,179 to 1,100 or 13 percent. 

McDaniel’s Panola total in the runoff was 36 percent over Cochran.

Cochran will face Democratic nominee and former U.S. Representative Travis Childers in the November general election.