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Mississippi Campaign Heats Up After ‘Lynching’ Remark

NNPA NEWSWIRE — If Hyde-Smith’s [hanging] comment was an exaggerated expression of regard, many in the one-time civil rights hotbed — and many more from across the nation — didn’t see it that way. It not only ignited interest in the under-the-radar Senate race, it galvanized Mike Espy’s supporters.

Published

8 years ago

November 14, 2018

Stacy M. Brown

At the 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum, “Moving Agriculture Forward” in Arlington, VA, held on Thursday, February 23, 2012, 7 former Secretaries of Agriculture sat on the plenary panel “Visions of the Future” hosted by current Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Congressman Mike Espy (MS) speaks out during the panel discussions. USDA photo by Robert Nichols

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

It’s a campaign that flew quietly under the radar – though the outcome could not only make history but change the dynamics in the United States Senate.

Down in the Delta – where the public lynching of African Americans was the rule and not the exception and the Ku Klux Klan was usually law enforcement, judge, jury and executioner – Mike Espy, a black man, has forced a runoff against Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.

As stunning as Espy’s rise in one of the classic “Good Ole Boys” states, Hyde-Smith, perhaps in a fit of desperation or a time lapse, helped to shine the spotlight on the race that had taken a back seat to the historic runs for governor in two other southern states, Florida and Georgia.

“If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row,” Hyde-Smith said as she was surrounded by cattle rancher Colin Hutchinson and other supporters at a gathering in Tupelo.

Hyde-Smith later tried to walk back the inflammatory comment, saying “In a comment on Nov. 2, I referred to accepting an invitation to a speaking engagement. In referencing the one who invited me, I used an exaggerated expression of regard, and any attempt to turn this into a negative connotation is ridiculous.”

If the comment was an exaggerated expression of regard, many in the one-time civil rights hotbed — and many more from across the nation — didn’t see it that way. It not only ignited interest in the under-the-radar Senate race, it galvanized Espy’s supporters.

“Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s shameful remarks prove once again how [President Donald] Trump has created a social and political climate that normalizes hateful and racist rhetoric. We’ve seen this in Florida from Ron DeSantis and others during this election season and denounce it,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement.

Trump has endorsed the incumbent senator.

“Hyde-Smith’s decision to joke about ‘hanging,’ in a state known for its violent and terroristic history toward African Americans is sick. To envision this brutal and degenerate type of frame during a time when Black people, Jewish People and immigrants are still being targeted for violence by White nationalists and racists is hateful and hurtful,” Johnson said.

According to the NAACP, Mississippi had 581 lynchings between 1882 and 1968, more than any other state. The state’s population has the highest percentage of African-Americans of any state, 37 percent according to the last census.

“Any politician seeking to serve as the national voice of the people of Mississippi should know better. Her choice of words serves as an indictment of not only her lack of judgement, but her lack of empathy, and most of all lack of character,” Johnson said.

Senator Hyde-Smith’s remark that she would “be on the front row” of a “public hanging” is repulsive and her flippant disregard for our state’s deep history of inhumanity tied to lynching is incensing,” said Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba.

“What is worse is her tone-deaf justification for the comment,” said Lumumba, who’s African-American.

Activist Shaun King expressed his disbelief in the comment.

“A sitting United States Senator. In Mississippi just said, ‘If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row.’ Really? She just said this in the heart of lynching country. She’s running against a black man. Unthinkable,” King said.

The ACLU of Mississippi released a statement calling Hyde-Smith’s comments “Despicable and abhorrent.”

“We expect and demand that Mississippi leaders represent and remain committed to inclusion and diversity. Sitting senators should not be referencing public hangings unless they are condemning them,” The ACLU’s statement said.

Espy himself weighed in.

“Cindy Hyde-Smith’s comments are reprehensible. They have no place in our political discourse, in Mississippi, or our country,” Espy said. “We need leaders, not dividers, and her words show that she lacks the understanding and judgment to represent the people of our state.”

The race for the Senate out of Mississippi has grown in its importance since election day. With the Democrats taking control of the House, the party has continued to narrow the majority in the Senate.

After a stunning victory in Arizona by Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, Republicans hold a narrow majority of 51 to 47, with two other Senate races still unresolved – in Florida between GOP Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and the Mississippi contest.

Espy once served as agriculture secretary under Democratic President Bill Clinton and, in 1986, he became the first African-American from Mississippi elected to Congress since Reconstruction.

Born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, Espy received a B.A. from Howard University in 1975 and then attended law school at the University of Santa Clara where he received his J.D. degree in 1978. Espy returned to Mississippi after law school and worked as an attorney for Central Mississippi Legal Services from 1978 to 1980, according to blackpast.org.

Between 1980 and 1984 Espy served as assistant secretary of the Public Lands Division for the State of Mississippi and then took the post of assistant State Attorney General for Consumer Protection, a position he held until 1985.

The following year Mike Espy won the 2nd Congressional District seat which included much of the Mississippi Delta, becoming the only black Congressman to represent a predominately rural district.

Now, Espy is trying to unseat Hyde-Smith, whose comments have those outside of Mississippi rallying for him as the runoff approaches on Nov. 27.

“North Mississippi and Memphis are connected at the hip,” said Corey Strong, the Shelby County Democratic Party Chair in Memphis.

“We are looking at potentially having a day of action for members of Shelby County and a concerted effort to go down and support Mike Espy in that race,” Strong said.

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A Little About Me: I'm the co-author of Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway and her son, Stevie Wonder (Simon & Schuster) and Michael Jackson: The Man Behind The Mask, An Insider's Account of the King of Pop (Select Books Publishing, Inc.) My work can often be found in the Washington Informer, Baltimore Times, Philadelphia Tribune, Pocono Record, the New York Post, and Black Press USA.

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Building Wealth, Inspiring Hope & Celebrating Our Legacy

Build your financial future and celebrate the legacy of the Black Press on Let’s Talk on Win-TV. We’ll also hear about breast cancer awareness from the American Cancer Society.

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Washington Informer hosts discuss building wealth, inspiring hope, and celebrating legacy.

📺 THIS WEEK ON LET’S TALK ON WIN-TV!

Join Managing Editor Micha Green for a special episode of Let’s Talk on Friday, October 9, at noon!

We’re talking financial wellness with Aja Clark of Chase Bank, exploring strategies for building better credit and strengthening your financial future as featured in The Washington Informer’s Financial Literacy Supplement.

Then, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’ll speak with Lisa Baynes of the American Cancer Society about the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement, community support, and the upcoming Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of DC event on October 17 at the Tidal Basin.

Plus, we’re celebrating the legacy of the Black Press with special prerecorded conversations featuring Jacquie Gales Webb, one of six women being honored at the upcoming High Tea hosted by The Washington Informer and The Afro, and a conversation between the publishers of these historic media institutions.

We’ll also share details about two upcoming celebrations: The Washington Informer’s 62nd Anniversary Photogallery Exhibit and Reception, honoring legendary photographer Roy Lewis on October 16, and the Washington Informer and Afro High Tea on October 24!

🗓️ Tune in Friday, October 9, at 12 noon.

📺 Watch Let’s Talk on WIN-TV for conversations that inform, inspire, and connect our community.

#LetsTalk #WINTV #TheWashingtonInformer #FinancialLiteracy #BreastCancerAwareness #MakingStrides #BlackPress #CommunityConversations

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🖊️ Kenya Vaughn
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Read more: https://www.stlamerican.com/salute-to-excellence/style-will-take-center-stage-at-39th-annual-education-salute/

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Dr. Earleen Patterson's 30-year legacy at SIUE celebrated for education and service

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Read her story: https://www.stlamerican.com/salute-to-excellence/earleen-pattersons-legacy-rooted-in-education-service/

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Defender ONE-on-ONE: U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee

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Christian Menefee, Harris County Commissioner, speaks with Houston Defender.

In an exclusive interview with The Defender, Texas Congressman Christian Menefee sits down to reflect on his first 250 days serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Congressman Menefee shares key insights into his legislative priorities, introducing new bills, and navigating the day-to-day challenges of serving in the house minority. He breaks down why every vote matters in shaping our communities and offers a preview of the urgent legislative issues he plans to tackle next.

In this video, you’ll hear about: • Reflections on his first 250 days in Congress • Key legislation introduced and priority bills • Navigating the realities and strategy of serving in the house minority • Why civic engagement and voter participation remain critical • What lies ahead on his legislative agenda

Subscribe to The Defender for more exclusive political coverage, interviews, and community insights!

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0:00 Introduction and the Importance of Voting
1:12 First 250 Days and Improving Constituent Services
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8:25 Life in the Minority and Playing Defense
10:45 Foreign Policy, Inflation, and Gas Prices
12:50 Economic Goals: Child Care and Housing
14:20 Redistricting and Respecting Leadership
16:15 The Rotisserie Chicken Vote and SNAP Benefits
18:20 Congressional Black Caucus Highlights
19:45 Final Call to Action for Texas Voters

Make sure to check your voter registration status and head to the polls to make your voice heard in the upcoming election. If you found this update helpful, please like this video and subscribe to stay informed on the issues that matter most to your community. 📢

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Bakersfield News Observer

News Observer Weekly — October 7, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week

Nolan Wells’ mysterious death remains unsolved, while Kern County ballots are now in voters’ hands. This week’s top 5 stories, up now on News Observer Weekly.

Published

2 days ago

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Nolan Wells was eighteen. A Mississippi grand jury says nobody is responsible for his death. The state medical examiner says she can’t tell you how he died. The district attorney’s message to the family was, we’ll never know. The family’s answer was, we’ll never stop.

This week on News Observer Weekly, Marcus and Nia break down the five stories that mattered most to our readers — from Observer Group Newspapers, publishers of the Bakersfield News Observer, the Los Angeles News Observer and Valley’s News Observer, serving Kern County, Los Angeles, and the San Fernando and Antelope valleys.

ONE THING THIS WEEK
Kern County ballots started going out Oct. 5. When yours arrives: fill it out,
SIGN AND DATE THE ENVELOPE (unsigned ballots cannot be processed), and return it
by mail (no stamp, postmarked by Nov. 3) or to a 24-hour drop box by 8 p.m. on
Nov. 3. Not registered? The regular deadline is Oct. 19; same-day registration
is available in person after that through Election Day. Track your ballot with
“Where’s My Ballot” at kernvote.com. Kern County Elections: 661-868-3590.

NOW LAW
AB 2599, the Truth in Disclosure Act, signed Sept. 30. California is the first
state to require companies with $100 million or more in worldwide receipts to
disclose, under penalty of perjury, whether they or their predecessors profited
from chattel slavery.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold open
0:37 Justice: Rulings Leave Questions Lingering in Nolan Wells Case
3:25 Sacramento: Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Requiring Large Corporations to Disclose Profits From Chattel Slavery
5:55 Inglewood: Inglewood Shifts $2.8 Million in HOME-ARP Funds to Sankofa Place Affordable Housing Project
8:34 Kern County: Your Ballot Is in the Mail: Here Is What Kern County Voters Need to Know
10:21 Los Angeles: Mayor Bass Hosts 3rd Annual Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Procurement Summit to Prepare Small Businesses for LA28 Contracts
12:22 What to do this week

THE FULL STORIES
Rulings Leave Questions Lingering in Nolan Wells Case