The four big-name candidates running for former U.S. Senator Thad Cochran's seat are now officially in the race. As MPB's Mark Rigsby reports, today is the deadline for candidates to file for the special election.
Republican State Senator Chris McDaniel is the latest high-profile candidate to submit papers for a U.S. Senate run. Former Agriculture Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith, a Republican, was appointed to the U.S. Senate Seat by Governor Phil Bryant on a temporary basis. Speaking to supporters in Brookhaven recently, Hyde-Smith says she will lean on her faith to guide her in the Senate.
"I pledge to you that everyday I will seek his face, and fight for the things that matter to me, and matter to you."
She'll now face McDaniel, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy and Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton in a November special election. Shelton says his record as Mayor speaks for itself.
"I've been on the ground level where the rubber meets the road. So at the end of the day this election is about real people, real issues, and getting real results."
The November 6th election is non-partisan, although McDaniel and Hyde-Smith are Republicans, and Espy and Shelton are Democrats. Tobey Bartee, of Gautier, has also filed candidacy paperwork.
