Biden stated that Mike Espy, a Mississippian who has lived his whole life, worked to improve the lives and livelihoods of Mississippi’s working families. “From his time as the first Black Mississippi congressman since Reconstruction, to his leadership as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, to his role in helping build strong rural economies across the South and unify Mississippi,” Espy stated. He is a man of dignity and empathy. He is the leader we need right now to move our country forward…. I look forward working with Vice President Harris and President Biden to increase opportunities for all Mississippians.” Register for the #MSElex Crash Course, a one-week free course. Espy will be challenging Cindy Hyde Smith, a Republican incumbent who beat Espy in 2018’s special election for the Senate seat. Hyde-Smith is close to President Donald Trump. He helped Espy’s 2018 campaign by attending rallies in Tupelo, Biloxi and other locations just before the runoff with Espy. This cycle, Espy has endorsed the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Congressional Black Caucus PAC. Collective PAC and Stacey Abrams. Rep. Karen Bass, Senator Cory Booker, and Senator Elizabeth Warren. Hyde-Smith’s endorsements are the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Huck PAC. Mississippi Manufacturers Association, National Rifle Association, and National Right to Life Committee.