Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Wednesday endorsed Mississippi U.S. Senate candidate Mike Espy.
“A lifelong Mississippian, Mike Espy has spent his career working to improve the lives of Mississippi’s working families,” Biden said. “From his times as the first Black congressman from Mississippi since Reconstruction to his critical leadership as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to his role helping to build a strong rural economy across the South, Mike Espy has the experience to move Mississippi forward.”
Espy said: “Joe Biden unites and heals. He has dignity and empathy. He is the leader our country needs right now to move forward … I look forward to working with President Biden and Vice President Harris to increase opportunities for all Mississippians.”
“I’m a Republican farmer, and I support Mike Espy because he’s the man that can work across the aisle,” Cliff Heaton said in the ad. “Cindy Hyde-Smith is holding us back… (Espy) can work with anybody that he needs to to get the job done.”
Two doctors are quoted in the ad — one criticizing Hyde-Smith for pushing to reopen too soon during the pandemic, and one praising Espy for supporting “expanding affordable health care in Mississippi.”
The fourth Mississippian in the ad is a public school teacher.
“I have not heard Cindy Hyde-Smith talk about increasing school funding,” said Rachel Killebrew. “Mike Espy supports raising teacher pay.”
Espy is very proud and excited to have Biden’s endorsement. Received this e-mail today from Espy’s campaign:
It is an honor to have the support of our former vice president and Democratic nominee.
Joe Biden is a leader who unites and heals. He has dignity and empathy. He’s who our country needs right now to move forward. When I was elected to Congress in 1986, I remember being impressed by Joe Biden’s leadership in the Senate. I am still impressed today.
As last night’s presidential debate made clear, November 3, 2020 is one of the most important elections of our lives. I believe that Joe Biden won’t just win, but also usher in down ballot victories across the county, including our 1-point race for U.S. Senate.
That’s why Vice President Biden’s endorsement means so much to me. It shows that he believes in me, he believes in our campaign, and he believes in Mississippi.
With your help, we can flip this Senate seat, and I’ll get to work with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to increase opportunities for our state. Together, we can move Mississippi and our country forward.
