A state senator since 2008, Chris has written, sponsored and supported numerous pieces of legislation in Mississippi designed to protect individuals from federal overreach into our basic individual rights.
Chris has fought for private property rights and to restrict the use of eminent domain. The Student Religious Liberties Act he authored was passed into law to protect the rights of students to pray in school. He introduced the Firearms Freedom Protection Act to protect against federal encroachment on our Second Amendment rights. He has fought against government paternalism by sponsoring legislation to allow citizens to opt-out of requirements to provide personal and private information for use in a government database.
For his accomplishments in the Mississippi State Legislature Chris has been named a BIPEC Business Champion, Law Enforcement Officers Legislator of the Year, Mississippi Highway Patrol Legislator of the Year, MADD Legislator of the Year, and Department of Corrections Distinguished Service Award.
Chris has long been a champion fighting against job-killing increases in taxes and in support of cutting government spending. His efforts have led to him being named a two-time winner of the American Conservative Union’s Award for Conservative Excellence and a 2016 Champion for Freedom by Americans for Prosperity. In his fight for conservatism he has been endorsed through the years by national leaders such as Donald Trump, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, and Sarah Palin.
Chris regularly speaks to groups across Mississippi about the need for a return to the simple perfections of the Constitution. His writings are published across a variety of legal, conservative and news publications, and he is a frequent guest commentator in the media on the subject of responsible public policy.
Now in his third term representing the 42nd district in the Mississippi state Senate. Chris is a strong proponent of limited government, free enterprise, civic participation, reduced tax rates, a strong national defense, states rights and a return to the original checks and balances of the Constitution.
After graduation from Jones County Junior College in 1992, Chris attended and graduated from William Carey College. Upon receiving his undergraduate degree he attended Ole Miss School of Law where he finished near the top of his class.
Following graduation, he accepted a prestigious two-year federal judicial clerkship.
As a partner in the law firm of Hortman, Harlow, Bassi, Robinson & McDaniel, he was lead counsel in a lawsuit filed against President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder, among others, seeking to declare Obamacare as unconstitutional. Chris donated his time, pro bono, for the petitioners’ efforts.
Chris is a life-long resident of Mississippi and Jones County. His father was a professor at Jones County Junior College and his mother retired from the college in 1995.
His wife Jill is also a professional educator who is employed with the Ellisville Elementary School. The McDaniels have two sons Cambridge born in 2006 and Chamberlain in 2011.
Chris and his family live in his hometown of Ellisville, Mississippi and are members of West Ellisville Baptist Church, a church he has attended for most of his life.
2015 & 2016 American Conservative Union’s Award for Conservative Excellence
2016 AFP Champion of Freedom
Highest Lifetime Score from the American Conservative Union in the MS Senate
2010 Laurel Leader Call Citizen of the Year
MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
Legislator of the Year
Law Enforcement Officers Legislator of the Year
Mississippi Highway Patrol Legislator of the Year
Mississippi Business Journal Top 50 Lawyers
in Mississippi
BIPEC Business Champion
NFIB Lifetime 95% Pro-Business Ranking
SAR Distinguished Service Award
American Council of Young Political Leaders
Who’s Who in American Politics
Pine Belt Counselors’ Association Meritorious Service Award
Mid-South Rising Stars
Desk & Derrick Club Certificate of Appreciation
William Carey University Alumni Hall of Fame
Department of Corrections Distinguished Service Award
Chairman of the Mississippi Senate Conservative Coalition
