The Super PAC is run by Henry Barbour, a Republican National Committee (RNC) committeeman and nephew of former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour—who has offered financial support for the PAC, as well. The group has been at the center of much of the campaign hullabaloo since earlier this year when it received what conservative super lawyer Cleta Mitchell—who represents the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund (TPPCF), which supports McDaniel—alleged was an illegal bank loan.
On Jan. 29—within days in either direction of many late January donations from current and former Trustmark executives to Cochran’s campaign—Trustmark National Bank made a $250,000 loan to the pro-Cochran Super PAC, which is run by former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour’s nephew Henry Barbour.
The PAC and the bank argue that the loan was secured by a certificate of deposit by a third party, though neither will divulge the identity of the CD’s owner. Mitchell has alleged that whether or not it was secured by a deposit from a mysterious benefactor, the arrangement comprises an illegal in-kind donation.