McDaniel: Tea Party Lawyer Who Committed Suicide Was 'Fine Christian'

DANIEL STRAUSS – JUNE 27, 2014, 4:27 PM EDT

Mississippi State Sen. Chris McDaniel (R) issued a short statement on the death of attorney Mark Mayfield, the tea party activist and supporter of McDaniel's who was charged in connection to the political blogger who photographed Sen. Thad Cochran's (R-MS) wife for an anti-Cochran video.

McDaniel's statement on Friday came after news broke that Mayfield had died. Lawyers for Mayfield confirmed earlier reports that Mayfield committed suicide.

Here's McDaniel's statement:

Regardless of recent allegations made against his character, Mark Mayfield was a fine Christian man who was always respectful and kind. He was one of the most polite and humble men I've ever met in politics. He was a loving husband, father, a pillar of his community, and he will be missed. We are saddened by his loss, and we send our thoughts and prayers to his wife, his family and friends.