Actually 242K votes is exceptional for a run off. Primary turnout tends to be poor and runoffs even worse. McDaniel may have been better off with a lower turnout. Cochran's GOTV targeting Dems may be underhanded, but effective. In politics, playing to win unfortunately trumps principals.
Cochran (i)
50.4%
146,741
C. McDaniel
49.6%
144,157
Precincts Reporting: 86.6%
Updated: 10:13 PM ET