Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) is expected to announce Monday night his endorsement of former Tupelo Mayor Glenn McCullough (R) ahead of next week’s special runoff to replace now-Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

“I was thrilled to get Sen. Cochran’s phone call offering his support and I am very humbled by it,” McCullough said, according to an advance copy of a statement he plans to release Monday evening. “Senator Cochran is our state’s most powerful voice in Washington and all Mississippians respect and admire him. His confidence means a lot to me.”

Cochran’s nod comes less than week after Magnolia State political legend former Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) endorsed McCullough’s opponent, Southaven Mayor Greg Davis (R).

The runoff vote is April 1.

— Matthew Murray