DAILY LEADER / JULIA V. PENDLEY / U..S. Rep. Gregg Harper (left) introduces Sen. Thad Cochran (right) during a picnic in Railroad Park Friday.

During a statewide campaign tour, U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) stopped in Brookhaven Friday for a picnic in Railroad Park. The incumbent U.S. senator faces state Sen. Chris McDaniel and Thomas L. Carey in the Republican primary June 3.

U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), who also is seeking re-election and was traveling with Cochran, introduced his fellow Republican to the gathering at the park Friday.

“What an honor to get to travel around the state with Sen. Thad Cochran, who has done more for this state than anyone else I know,” Harper said.

Harper began listing Cochran’s accomplishments in the Brookhaven area, including his help with bringing the Mississippi School of the Arts to town. Harper also pointed to Cochran’s help with the Farm Bill and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“When the people of Mississippi need help, our senator is always there to help,” Harper said.

Cochran also spoke highly of Harper and his work for Mississippi’s third-congressional district.

“He has stood out and stood strong,” Cochran said. “He has voted for his convictions.”

Harper is contested by Hardy Caraway on the Republican primary ballot June 3.

On the Democratic primary ballot for the U.S. Senate are Travis W. Childers, William Bond Compton Jr., Bill Marcy and Jonathan Rawl.

The Democratic primary for U.S. House of Representatives, third-congressional district consists of Jim Liljeberg, Douglas MacArthur “Doug” Magee and Dennis C. Quinn.