Mississippi 2018 Election Results: Hyde-Smith, Espy Go To Runoff

JACKSON, MS — Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker successfully defended his seat Tuesday night, and fellow Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith will face former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy in a Nov. 27 runoff election to fill the seat vacated by Republican Sen. Thad Cochran. While the "blue wave" and anti-Trump sentiment failed to give Democrats decisive control of Congress, it did give them enough of a boost to take the U.S. House for the first time in eight years.

In Mississippi, Republicans dominated the win column, winning three of four House seats up for election and one of two Senate seats.

Mississippi voters flocked to the polls Tuesday, grappling with long lines at multiple polling locations across the state. Election officials expected record turnout. Thirty-five Senate seats were up for election nationwide this year, and that included both of Mississippi's.

Democrat Bennie Thompson and Republican Steven Palazzo took home early wins in the 2nd and 4th Districts, respectively. Republican U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly and Republican Michael Guest also emerged victorious.

One race in particular caught the eye of national media outlets. Democrats salivated at the opportunity to steal a seat in the deep red state.

Early Problems Plague Polls

Despite five tornadoes touching down in the state overnight, all precincts were able to open on time, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann told media outlets.

But, he noted, "there are lines everywhere," and he saw several problems at the polls. Downed trees and poles meant it took some election workers longer than expected to reach their voting locations.

A scanner at one location was down for up to an hour after someone filled out a ballot with an ink pen, rather than a ballpoint pen. Elsewhere, election workers improperly set up voting machines at Fellowship Baptist Church in Madison County.

"I think unfortunately in some instances they may have been asked to go back to the county courthouse," said Hosemann.

Furthermore, the nonprofit organization Vote.org was directing people to the wrong polling locations and computers were reportedly down at Harrison Central Elementary in Gulfport.

Many people also questioned why there was no "D" or "R" designation on their ballot to indicate the party of the candidates in the Senate race between Espy and Hyde-Smith. Hosemann reminded reporters there wouldn't be such a designation — even though the other Senate race has the designations — and that includes the runoff.

Senate

Wicker, who entered the night as a heavy favorite, defeated Baria on Tuesday night. He was up in the polls heading into the night, earning the support of 57 percent of registered voters polled and 60 percent of likely voters.

Wicker earned the support of anti-abortion groups, business groups and President Donald Trump while Baria picked up endorsements from the state Legislative Black Caucus, former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, environmental groups and labor groups.

But most Americans were closely watching the state's special election. Hyde-Smith, a Republican who became the state's first female Senator when she was appointed to the position, faced stiff competition from Espy, a former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and longtime Democratic congressman. Democrats targeted the race as a rare opportunity to pickup a Senate seat in the state, where the last Democratic senator left office in 1989. The special election is nonpartisan — four candidates are running on one ballot without their party listed — and Republican firebrand Chris McDaniel could've split GOP votes.

On Wednesday morning, Hyde-Smith had garnered 41.5 percent of the vote, compared to 40.6 for Espy. McDaniel took 16.4 percent of the vote.

Before her appointment to the Senate, Hyde-Smith, who used to be a cattle farmer, was elected as the state's agriculture and commerce commissioner in 2011. Before that, she served as a state senator, winning her election as a Democrat in 2000 before switching to a Republican in 2010.

Espy in 1986 became the first African-American since the Reconstruction to win a House seat in the state. He went on to become President Bill Clinton’s first agriculture secretary in 1993.

A new NBC News/Marist poll of the state found that the race has a strong chance to go to a runoff. Hyde-Smith received the support of 38 percent of likely voters in the poll while Espy garnered 29 percent. McDaniel received 15 percent and Democrat Tobey Bartee got just 2 percent.

Here's where it gets interesting — 15 percent said they were undecided. In order to avoid a runoff, a candidate would need to earn more than 50 percent of the vote. Should that happen, the poll found Hyde-Smith would be the favorite, leading Espy by 14 points among likely voters.

While Espy has racked up endorsements from teachers unions, trade unions and labor groups, Hyde-Smith has earned the support of President Donald Trump, Gov. Phil Bryant, the NRA and pro-life groups.

Republicans currently hold a 51-seat majority in the Senate. Democrats control 47 seats and the two independents caucus with them, so the Mississippi races could help swing the balance of power in the chamber.

U.S. House

All four of Mississippi's House seats were on the ballot this year.

In the 1st District, incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly defeated Randy Wadkins in the deep red northeastern part of the state. Kelly entered the race a heavy favorite and raised five times as much money as his opponent.

The 2nd District featured a race between longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson — first elected in 1993 — Irving Harris and Troy Ray. Thompson was expected to win easily, and he did.

The 3rd District saw a new face this year after incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper decided not to seek re-election. Republican Michael Guest defeated Democrat Michael Evans with 63 percent of the vote in the deep red eastern part of the state. Guest had raised more than $600,000 compared to Evans' $16,000.

Guest earned endorsements from Gov. Phil Bryant, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund and anti-abortion groups.

And in the 4th Congressional District, Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo won his bid for re-election, fending off a challenge from Democrat Jeramey Anderson in the deep red southeastern part of the state. Similar to his Republican colleagues, Palazzo vastly out-fundraised his opponent.

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