Espy compared his campaign to Mississippi’s unnamed “land mass”, and stated, “They don’t think a Black man can win in Mississippi.” However, Espy’s fortunes have changed dramatically in the last two weeks. Record amounts of money are pouring into Espy’s campaign in the final stretch of November 3, and scant polling shows that he is closing the gap with Hyde Smith, including one which showed him within 1 point of Hyde Smith. Outside groups and national party leaders are excited about the possibility of a Senate seat change in one of the most red states. Espy stated this week that the help is on its way and that it will arrive in time. They see it now. Mississippi is only now starting to get on the radar.” Espy continues to smash campaign fundraising records for Democratic state candidates. He raised $700,000. Just Thursday, he did it again. According to a source close, Espy raised $1.35 Million in the first 48 hours. This is a comparison to Hyde-Smith’s two-day collection at the bank at June’s end, according to the latest report. James Carville is a veteran Democratic strategist who advised President Bill Clinton. He told Mississippi Today that he had told people earlier this year that Espy had a chance at winning. “People’s eyes kinda glazed over,” he said. Carville spends a lot of time in Mississippi and has a place in Bay St. Louis. “I think there has been an increase in signals traffic… Alabama and Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee – Mississippi has the best chance of turning one blue out of all the hard-red states. It is starting to be noticed.” Espy stated that he spoke with Tom Perez, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, on Wednesday. Within a few hours, “they had him on a national DNC fundraising conference call, where he spoke to 1,000 people.” Espy has benefited financially from the energized Democratic base since the September 18th death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This week, he stated that his campaign has received an average of $156,000 per day in donations since Ginsburg’s passing. This effort was bolstered when Espy’s candidacy was listed on a fundraising site called Get Mitch or Die Trying. It is managed by the hosts of Pod Save America (a popular liberal podcast hosted former Obama staffers). Espy stated that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has not given his race the support it deserves, but it seems to be changing. It is providing field, polling, organizational help, and the maximum direct donation of $49,000 to the campaign. The DSCC hosted a phone bank last week to support the campaign. Helen Kalla, spokeswoman for the DSCC, stated that Mike’s campaign is moving forward because Mississippians want an independent leader who will stand for them. The voters can see the clear choice between Sen. Hyde Smith’s failing record and his leadership. “We were proud of being on Team Mike early and are excited to see it grow,” said Helen Kalla, DSCC spokeswoman. U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson is a powerful veteran congressman from Mississippi and the only Democrat in Washington. He stated that he has pushed for Espy to receive national party support. Thompson stated that he shared his support for Mike Espy’s candidacy with Senator (Minority Leader) Schumer, just as he did two years ago. “I made sure that (Congressional Black Caucus PAC), endorsed him. It is only a matter time, given the recent polls, that the DSCC would also be more financially supportive than it has been. Also, last week, Espy was honored with the endorsement of Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee. The Lincoln Project, a super PAC that was formed by Republicans against President Trump, promised to buy large ad space in Mississippi for Espy to support him and oppose Hyde Smith. Espy stated that he was grateful for the support but has not been waiting. After his defeat to Hyde Smith in the 2018 special election, Espy said that he has continued to build his campaign as well as messaging to voters. Espy stated that his campaign has been building a Democratic infrastructure in Mississippi instead of the national Democratic Party. Espy stated that the lack of interest by the national Democratic Party in Mississippi over recent years is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Espy stated that they have been doing this for so long because it has been so long. There is less polling because there is less polling. Until you prove your viability, you are ignored here. But it is hard to prove viability if your ignored. We would have a strong party if the DSCC had contributed $5 million or $10 million over the off years. “But the Mike Espy campaign built it because we had to.” Espy stated that fundraising for a Democratic party in Mississippi without national support is difficult since many of those the party seeks represent are not wealthy. Espy’s 2018 challenge to Hyde Smith saw Espy receive national cash and support, but it was late in the race after Hyde Smith made remarks about voter suppression and a public hanging. Espy had raised $2 million before, then $4 million. Espy stated that the money “gushed like water from a firehose” and that the campaign had to inject it into television ads. “Now, we are getting an infusion of money, we know where it goes down, where it goes to which precincts, and where to knock on doors.” Espy stated that his campaign infrastructure allowed him to assist several Democratic Mississippi legislators win last year. Carville stated that a week in politics is one year, and five weeks is five years. Espy should be able to spend more money and support his campaign. “This race may have been on the back burner nationally, but Mike is moving forward.” Tyree Irving, the new chairman of the state Democratic Party, stated that Espy has been gaining momentum from the ground in Mississippi based on calls he received at party headquarters. Irving also said that he has seen growing support among women for Espy and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Irving stated that “principally from white females,” referring to those who are anxious about their own health. Trump has scared a lot people and made a lot more people start asking what they can help. Espy stated that Trump’s growing support among women voters was more than just anecdotal and his internal polling has confirmed it. Espy said that his platform of improving healthcare, education, and economic opportunity resonates. Irving stated that he has told national Democratic leaders “Look, there is an energy here.” Mississippi Democrats want to participate in the process. We hear an urgency in people’s voices… While many believe Trump will win the state, there are still people who strongly believe that it is possible for Republicans to win the Senate race. There is energy for him. It really is.