EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS
Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A judge has adjusted the trial schedule for a lawsuit seeking to overturn Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran’s Republican primary win.

In an order Friday, Judge Hollis McGehee says the trial will start Sept. 16 and end by Oct. 6. The original dates were Sept. 15-Oct. 3.

Cochran’s attorneys say state Sen. Chris McDaniel’s lawsuit was filed too late and should be dismissed.

Cochran defeated McDaniel in the June 24 runoff, and the state GOP certified the results July 7.

In court papers Thursday, Cochran’s attorneys cite a 1959 Mississippi Supreme Court ruling that a statewide election challenge must be filed within 20 days of when results are certified. They say that means McDaniel had a July 27 deadline. McDaniel filed suit Aug. 14.

The general election is Nov. 4.

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