NONPARTISAN CANDIDATE GUIDE: 2018 MISSISSIPPI SENATE RACE FOR NOVEMBER 27th RUNOFF

Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?

Mike Espy – 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 – Ban. “100% pro life.” “All children, including the unborn, are guaranteed the right to life by our creator.”

 

Economy: Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Mike Espy – Yes. Supports federal spending on infrastructure, broadband & childcare, to grow the economy. But rein in “abhorrent” wasteful spending.

Cindy Hyde-Smith – Mixed. Sees value in federal spending on local projects. But “controlling spending” is a priority. Supports balanced budget amendment, spending cuts.

 

Economy: Support President Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?

Mike Espy – No. Tariffs need to come to a halt. They harm Mississippi soybean production.

Cindy Hyde-Smith – Yes. Hard for soybean growers, but they “just have to hold on… They will be better off in the long run.”

 

Environment: Support restraints on Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)?

Mike Espy – Fought EPA regulations that would have hurt Mississippi’s farming industry, but pushed for food safety regulations after an e-coli outbreak.

Cindy Hyde-Smith – Yes. Supports the deregulatory path taken by Trump EPA.

 

Financial Regulation: Support cutbacks in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)?

Mike Espy – No. Need “laws against waste, fraud & corruption” to protect people. “Wall Street seems immune from any restraint.”

Cindy Hyde-Smith – Unclear. Voted to roll back CFPB rule limiting potentially discriminatory auto loan rates.

 

Gay Marriage: Support gay marriage?

Mike Espy – Yes. “Committed to ALL Mississippians having access to their rights of citizenship,” regardless of sexual orientation.

Cindy Hyde-Smith – No. “Personally believes marriage is between a man & a woman.”

 

Gun Control: Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?

Mike Espy – Yes, up to a point. “I believe in the Second Amendment.…but things have changed. …anyone who has been declared a danger to himself or others should not own a firearm…” No assault weapons to anyone under 21.

Cindy Hyde-Smith – No. Says, “Right to bear arms is essential to American Liberty… No law-abiding Mississippian should EVER be denied their constitutional rights.”

 

Healthcare: Support or Repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare?

Mike Espy – Support. Protect while expanding mental health & prescription drug coverage & offering preventive services without cost-sharing. Also supports paid family & medical leave.

Cindy Hyde-Smith – Repeal. Help families afford health insurance coverage without expanding government role. Repeal Obamacare.

 

Healthcare: Allow Planned Parenthood to receive public funds for non-abortion health services?

Mike Espy – Probable yes. Says will fight for women’s rights & reproductive health care… targeting especially sufficient health insurance coverage & medical services.

Cindy Hyde-Smith – No. Does not support allowing public funds to go toward family planning services at healthcare organizations that also provide abortions.

 

Healthcare: Require people to work to receive Medicaid?

Mike Espy – No. “Mississippians should have full access… to expanded funding of Medicaid  & CHIP.”

Cindy Hyde-Smith – Unclear. Did support Lee-Cruz amendment to Farm Bill, adding a work requirement to food stamp programs.

 

Immigration: Response to family separation policy being used as a deterrent to illegal immigrants. (Only immigration issue where both candidates took a stand)

Mike Espy – “The policy of separating children from their families is misguided. America can do better —we can have secure borders WITHOUT punishing innocent children.”

Cindy Hyde-Smith – “Distressing to me as a mother, but we cannot lose sight that U.S. immigration laws must be enforced.”

 

Immigration: Position on border all & general policies?

Mike Espy –  Border wall cost can’t be justified, but supports “a secure border and enforced immigration laws that are fairly applied to all.”

Cindy Hyde-Smith – “I’m pretty firm, firm, firm on the wall.” On immigrant workers, “We want them legal. If they are not legal now, get legal.”

 

Marijuana: Legalize or decriminalize marijuana?

Mike Espy – Wouldn’t say absolutely no. Maybe medical first. “I’d be open to reviewing the facts….I would just have to know if it was safe” & “a financial benefit to the state.”

Cindy Hyde-Smith – Voted to block an amendment that would have allowed banks to work with legitimate cannabis businesses.

 

Minimum Wage: Raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25/hour?

Mike Espy – Yes. Strongly support increased minimum wage & increased Earned Income tax credit.

Cindy Hyde-Smith – No position found.

 

Renewable Energy: Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

Mike Espy – No position found.

Cindy Hyde-Smith – Supports biofuels. No other position found.

 

Student debt: Help students refinance student loans at lower rates? Increase financial aid, like Pell Grants?

Mike Espy – Unclear. Supports “increasing interest subsidies on student loans.” Also protecting students from predatory for-profit schools.

Cindy Hyde-Smith – No position found.

 

Taxes: Support President Trump’s tax cut bill?

Mike Espy – Probably would have voted for them but wants to “make sure people see the benefits,” not just corporations.

Cindy Hyde-Smith – Yes. Supports Trump’s tax cuts.The only member of the Senate to have voted with Trump’s agenda “100 percent” to date.

 

Voting Rights: Support voting rules that prioritize preventing the possibility of fraud, even if they limit access?

Mike Espy – Probable no. Says “I stand firmly for civil rights, voting rights & women’s rights.”

Cindy Hyde-Smith – Yes. Voted for legislation requiring specific forms of voter identification in order to vote.