Who is Cindy Hyde-Smith and what is Hyde-Smith running on in the 2026 Mississippi Senate race?

Cindy Hyde-Smith is the Republican candidate for Mississippi U.S. Senate, and the incumbent. US Senator since 2018 (appointed, then won 2018 special and 2020 full term); former state agriculture commissioner and former Democratic state senator; first woman to represent Mississippi in Congress. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith seeking re-election.
• Polling: Hyde-Smith 44, Colom 38, Pinkins (I) 7 (Data for Progress, Aug 5 to 15, 2026; left-leaning firm).

Why Hyde-Smith is ahead

• Mississippi voted for Trump by a wide margin in 2024 and hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1982; no sitting Mississippi senator has lost since 1942.
• Incumbency and money: Hyde-Smith has $2.54M cash on hand vs Colom’s $847K, plus Trump’s endorsement.
• Colom’s opening: Hyde-Smith has a net-negative favorability, and an independent (Pinkins, 7%) splits the anti-incumbent vote.
• Colom attacks her vote for Trump’s tax package and on tariffs and beef prices.

What Hyde-Smith is running on

• Trump. Closely aligned with Trump, who endorsed her; touts access to and support from the administration.
• Tariffs / agriculture. Supports Trump’s tariffs while urging protection for farmers.
• Healthcare. Focuses on preserving rural hospitals.
• Security / crime. Emphasizes national security infrastructure and support for law enforcement; her campaign says violent crime doubled under DA Colom.

In Hyde-Smith’s own words

“You have so many proteins to choose from and all commodities go through peaks and valleys.”

The other candidates

• Scott Colom (D)
• Ty Pinkins (I)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.