Christopher Brian McDaniel (born June 28, 1971) is an American attorney, talk radio host, perennial candidate for statewide office, and politician who served in the Mississippi State Senate from 2008 to 2024.

[3][4][5] He has been described as the leader of that faction of the Mississippi Republican Party, believing "the government is the big, bad enemy of working people, and it should be completely stripped of its size and might so that citizens may take full control of their lives.

[10] He graduated with honors from Jones County Junior College[8][9] and the grandson of Luke McDaniel, a country and rockabilly singer.

[8][9] He then entered the University of Mississippi School of Law, graduating cum laude in 1997 with a Juris Doctor degree.

[8][9] In 1997, McDaniel entered a two-year federal clerkship with United States District Court Judge Charles W.

[9] After leaving that position, he joined the law firm Hortman Harlow Bassi Robinson & McDaniel,[9][12] becoming a partner in 2003.

[18][19] McDaniel has been recognized with the AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest distinction for legal excellence, awarded based on peer reviews by members of the bar and judiciary.

[20] This rating reflects his superior legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication skills, and ethical standards.

[11] In 2012, McDaniel led a delegation to the Alamo Mission in San Antonio, Texas, for the dedication of a monument to the eight Mississippians who died when the fort was overrun in 1836.

[34] In May 2014, a scandal emerged when a McDaniel supporter allegedly entered a nursing home where Cochran's bedridden wife was living and took pictures of her.

One of the arrested included McDaniel ally Mark Mayfield, who was vice chairman of the state's Tea Party.

[44] Cruz also told reporters that groups aligned with Cochran's campaign had run racially charged ads designed to persuade black voters to vote against McDaniel.

"[46] In July 2014, the Mississippi Supreme Court rejected McDaniel's request for access to poll books without voters' birthdates blacked out, which his attorneys argued were needed to identify fraudulent votes.

[52] Republican governor Phil Bryant appointed Cindy Hyde-Smith to fill the vacancy created by Cochran's resignation.

McDaniel said, "by announcing early, we are asking Mississippi Republicans to unite around my candidacy and avoid another contentious contest among GOP members that would only improve the Democrats' chances of winning the open seat."

[56] On January 30, 2023, McDaniel announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor of Mississippi in 2023, challenging incumbent Delbert Hosemann in the Republican primary.

[58] According to McDaniel, the political thinkers that have influenced his views include: Thomas Jefferson, Frédéric Bastiat, Friedrich Hayek, Robert Taft, Russell Kirk, Barry Goldwater, William F. Buckley and Ronald Reagan.

[61] In April 2010, McDaniel led a lawsuit seeking to have the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) deemed unconstitutional.

[69][70] The McDaniel campaign argued the quote was taken out of context, claiming the attacks against Kavanaugh were politically motivated in nature.

[77][78][79] In August 2017, McDaniel claimed on his Twitter account that Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate States Army, was opposed to slavery.