Obama endorses Espy in Mississippi Senate race

Former President Obama endorsed Mississippi Democrat Mike Espy in the state’s Senate race on Wednesday as the contest garners national attention.

While Espy, a former congressman and Agriculture secretary under President Clinton, is still considered a long shot in his bid to unseat Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R), some national Democratic groups are coming to his aid amid some indications the party’s base could come out in force this year and make the Senate race competitive.

“Mike Espy has a great chance to win this election for the Senate and keep Mississippi moving forward. You were finally able to change the flag. Now, you can change your senator, too,” Obama says in a radio advertisement. “Mike Espy for Senate and [Democratic presidential nominee] Joe Biden for president. It’s your time to be heard.”

The former president joins Biden, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), as well as the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, in backing Espy.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the 44th President of the United States of America. President Barack Obama governed with dignity and effectiveness. He is remembered and will continue to be remembered as a very good president,” said Espy.

The endorsement is a late boost to Espy’s bid to become the first Black person to represent the Magnolia State as a senator in more than a century.

Democrats say the environment is ripe for a competitive race, with Espy still boasting a strong campaign infrastructure from his 2018 race against Hyde-Smith. Espy and Hyde-Smith faced off in a special election two years ago to fill the remainder of former Sen. Thad Cochran’s (R) term. Hyde-Smith is now running for a full term of her own.

Espy will also likely be buoyed by Biden’s candidacy, which showed strength with Black voters in the South during the primary. Other down-ballot candidates also have the potential to excite the base and possibly increase turnout.

Espy also brought in $4 million in the third quarter of 2020, while Hyde-Smith raised nearly $815,000.

Looking to make the race competitive and force the GOP to spend money in a reliably red state, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) have provided field and organization assistance, a move that came after Espy said his campaign was being overlooked by the party’s national apparatus.

Espy’s narrow path to victory will rely mainly on increasing turnout among white suburban voters who are veering way from the GOP and a strong showing among Black voters. Mississippi boasts the largest share of Black voters out of any state in the country at 37 percent.

Still, Espy faces massive headwinds in a state that President Trump won by 18 percent in 2016 and is expected to handily carry again this year. The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, rates the Senate race as “solid” Republican.

Obama on Wednesday also released a radio ad boosting Texas Democrat MJ Hegar, who is running to unseat Sen. John Cornyn (R).

The ads look to underscore Hegar’s service in the Air Force and will air on Black radio stations across the Lone Star State.

“MJ served three tours in Afghanistan as a combat search and rescue pilot, receiving a Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor. She’s also a working mom who knows the struggles families face to afford health care, which is why she’ll fight to protect the Affordable Care Act – progress we all worked so hard to achieve, and Republicans keep trying to repeal,” Obama says in the ad.

“Simply put, MJ gets it. That’s why, whether you vote early or on November 3rd, I hope you’ll join me in supporting Democrat MJ Hegar.”

The Cook Political Report rates the Texas Senate race as “lean” Republican.