Mississippi State Senator Chris McDaniel, who had previously announced that he was running for Senate this year against incumbent Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), told The Daily Beast on Monday that he was keeping all of his options open now that Mississippi’s other senator, Thad Cochran, announced his retirement. “Given Senator Cochran’s retirement, I will continue to monitor developments regarding his replacement and the Special Election that will follow,” McDaniel said in a statement to The Daily Beast. “While it is certain that Mississippi will have two US Senate races this year, I am currently focused on my campaign against Roger Wicker, but all options remain on the table as we determine the best way to ensure that Mississippi elects conservatives to the United States Senate.” McDaniel also said that he wishes his ex-rival Cochran “nothing but the best in his retirement” and thanked him “for his service to Mississippi in the United States Senate.” —Gideon Resnick