Mississippi election: Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith wins racially divisive senate runoff

Senator's comments about 'public hanging' had evoked state's history of black lynchings

The Republican senator for Mississippi has been re-elected following a bitterly divisive runoff which evoked the state’s history of racist violence.

Cindy Hyde-Smith survived the controversy caused by her racially charged comments to defeat Democrat Mike Espy, who had hoped to become the state’s first African-American senator for more than 130 years.

Ms Hyde-Smith, first appointed to the seat in April, had initially been comfortable favourite to win the race until footage emerged of her saying about a supporter at an 11 November rally: “If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row.”

The comment provoked anger in a state where hundreds of people black people were lynched between the American Civil War and 1968.

Ms Hyde-Smith said the remark had been “an exaggerated expression of regard” for a fellow cattle rancher. During a televised debate nine days after the video was publicised, she apologised to “anyone that was offended by my comments” but also claimed the remark was being used as a “weapon” against her.

The Republican prompted further controversy when she was caught on video saying it was “a great idea” to make it harder for “liberal folks” to vote, a remark she later dismissed as a joke.

Some corporate donors, including Walmart, requested refunds on their campaign contributions to Ms Hyde-Smith after the controversial videos surfaced.

Bubbling racial tensions burst to the fore this week when nooses were found hanging on trees in Mississippi. They were accompanied by signs reading: “We’re hanging nooses to remind people that times haven’t changed.”

Speaking after her win, Ms Hyde-Smith insisted she would fight for everyone in the state when she goes to Washington.

The 59-year-old told supporters: “I want everybody to know, no matter who you voted for today, I’m going to always represent every Mississippian. I will work very hard and do my very best to make Mississippi very proud.”

Shortly after the win on Tuesday, Donald Trump tweeted: “Congratulations to Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith on your big WIN in the Great State of Mississippi. We are all very proud of you!”

The Republican inherited the seat in April after long-time predecessor Thad Cochran retired amid health concerns. Ms Hyde-Smith’s election makes her the first woman to be voted into the Senate in Mississippi.

Addressing his supporters following his defeat, Mr Espy, 64, said: “While this is not the result we were hoping for, I am proud of the historic campaign we ran and grateful for the support we received across Mississippi. We built the largest grassroots organisation our state has seen in a generation.”

The candidates were forced to contest the runoff after neither polled 50 per cent of the vote in the midterm elections earlier this month.