Mississippi universities, however, breathed a collective sigh of relief that Cochran retained his position, as he has been instrumental in bringing much needed federal monies to Mississippi. Indeed, the Research Park at Mississippi State University is named after Thad Cochran. Close to 50% of Mississippi's state budget comes from the federal government.
http://watchdog.org/134755/mississippi-federal-funds/

Rumor had it that MSU could have lost anywhere from 300 to 700+ jobs if McDaniel would have defeated Cochran. It also appears that enough black Democrats voted for Cochran to have propelled him to victory. This does not sit well with the Tea Party. Indeed, some of them with ruffled feathers are threatening to vote for the Democratic senatorial nominee.

It remains to be seen if the rift in the GOP can be healed, or if the Tea Party will be the mouse that throws the GOP elephant into a political frenzy. A mad elephant is a danger to everyone around it... and of course cleaning up after it is the worst job in the circus.