2020 Mississippi US Senate Voters Guide

Mike Espy (D) vs Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

US Senate | Election | Nov 10, 2020

The Candidates

Mike Espy

Mike Espy

Democrat

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Republican

Incumbent

The Issues

Abortion

Legal or ban?

Mike Espy (D)

Legal. “I’m anti-abortion, but I’m pro-choice.” “Women should have the basic right to make their own decisions about their personal health.”

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

Ban. Believes “all children, including the unborn, are guaranteed the right to life by our creator.” Opposes taxpayer funding of abortions. Will confirm anti-abortion judges.

Campaign Finance

Require political ads to disclose their largest funders?

Mike Espy (D)

Unclear. “Laws against waste, fraud and corruption are to protect the American citizenry and should be dutifully … enforced.”

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

No position found.

Contraception

Require health plans to cover birth control?

Mike Espy (D)

Yes. “Will fight for women’s rights” to sufficient insurance and medical care, including birth control and basic services for pregnant women.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

No position found.

Courts

Supported Brett Kavanaugh nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court?

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

Yes. Voted to confirm Kavanaugh’s nomination to be an associate justice of the Supreme Court.

Education

Use public funding to send children to private schools?

Mike Espy (D)

No. Does not oppose charter or private schools, but says public funds should be reserved for public schools.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

Yes. Supported bill to expand federal grant funding for charter schools in rural areas.

Environment

Tighten or loosen environmental regulations?

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

Loosen. Supports the deregulatory path taken by Trump EPA to cut time delays that add costs to infrastructure projects.

Financial Regulation

Tighten or loosen regulation of banks and credit card companies?

Mike Espy (D)

Tighten. Need laws against waste and fraud since “Wall Street seems immune from any restraint or accountability.”

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

Unclear. Sponsored bill to eliminate Federal Insurance Office, and voted to restrict Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s regulatory authority.

Gun Control

Enact more restrictive legislation on guns?

Mike Espy (D)

Yes. Believes in the Second Amendment, but “anyone who is a danger to himself or others should not own a firearm.” No assault weapons to anyone under 21.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

No. Is the owner of an enhanced-carry permit, enjoys hunting and works “to prevent the federal government from infringing upon” the right to bear arms.

Immigration

Support path to citizenship for “DACA” residents brought to U.S. as children?

Impeachment

Supported U.S. Senate calling witnesses and voting to convict President Donald Trump and remove him from office?

Iran

Opposed military attacks on Iran without congressional approval?

Mike Espy (D)

No position found.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

No. Voted against a resolution that would prohibit military action against Iran without authorization from Congress.

Planned Parenthood

Support organization receiving public funds for non-abortion-related care?

Saudi Arabia

Block arms sales to Saudi Arabia?

Mike Espy (D)

No position found.

Student Debt & Financial Aid

Support lower interest or forgiveness on student loans?

Mike Espy (D)

Yes. Would increase interest subsidies on student loans, and protect students from predatory for-profit schools.

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

No position found.

Tariffs

Support administration tariffs on steel and other products?

Cindy Hyde-Smith (R)

Yes. Tariffs have hurt soybean growers, but they “just have to hold on. … They will be better off in the long run.”

Voting Rights

Support stricter ID requirements and other rules on voting?

Mike Espy (D)

Yes. Voted for legislation in 2009 making Mississippi one of eight states requiring specific forms of photo ID to vote.