Cindy Hyde-Smith, born on May 10, 1959, in Brookhaven, Mississippi, is the first woman to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Congress. Her political career has been marked by her transition from the Democratic to the Republican Party and her tenure as Mississippi’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce before ascending to the U.S. Senate.
Career Path to the U.S. Senate
Hyde-Smith began her political journey in 1999 when she was elected to the Mississippi State Senate as a Democrat, representing the 39th District. In 2010, she switched her party affiliation to Republican, citing her conservative beliefs. In 2011, she made history by becoming the first woman elected as Mississippi’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, a position she held until 2018. On April 9, 2018, Governor Phil Bryant appointed her to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Thad Cochran. She was subsequently elected in a special election in November 2018 and re-elected in 2020.
Stances on Economic Issues
Senator Hyde-Smith advocates for federal policies that foster job growth and economic development. She supports tax cuts and reforms aimed at stimulating economic activity and has emphasized the importance of rebuilding infrastructure to benefit both Mississippi and the nation.
Stances on Social Issues
Hyde-Smith is a staunch proponent of pro-life policies, consistently voting to protect the rights of the unborn. She has also expressed opposition to Planned Parenthood and supports measures that restrict federal funding for organizations that provide abortion services.
Stances on Immigration Issues
The senator has taken a firm stance on immigration, opposing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and emphasizing the importance of enforcing immigration laws. She has supported national emergency declarations at the Southern border and has expressed support for the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in protecting American families.
Stances on Education Issues
Hyde-Smith believes in the importance of state and local control over public education, while recognizing the federal government’s role in supporting educational achievement. She has supported federal grants to rural charter schools and has emphasized the value of agricultural education in schools.
Political Relationship with President Donald Trump
Senator Hyde-Smith has maintained a supportive relationship with President Donald Trump. She has aligned with his policies and has been endorsed by him during her political campaigns. In January 2021, she was among the senators who opposed the certification of the 2020 presidential election results, reflecting her alignment with Trump’s stance on election integrity.
Controversial Statements and Actions
Hyde-Smith has faced scrutiny over certain remarks. In November 2018, a video surfaced in which she stated, “If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row.” Given Mississippi’s history of lynchings, the comment was widely criticized as racially insensitive. She later apologized, stating that the comment was intended as a joke and was not meant to be taken literally.
Additionally, reports have highlighted that Hyde-Smith sent her daughter to a private school established to allow white children to bypass integration, further fueling discussions about her views on race and education.
Despite these controversies, Hyde-Smith has continued to serve in the U.S. Senate, maintaining her conservative positions on various issues.