Mike Espy is running for the U.S. Senate candidate. Espy, 66, hopes to become the first African American to be elected by popular vote from Mississippi to the U.S. Senate. Espy was a Democrat and became the first Black Mississippian to be elected to the U.S. House in 1986 since Reconstruction. After being reelected to the 2nd district post by comfortable margins, Espy resigned to accept the U.S. secretary for agriculture position in the Clinton administration. He was the first African American secretary for agriculture in the country. After being indicted for federal corruption, Espy resigned. However, he was acquitted of all charges. Espy has continued to practice law in Mississippi since then. Espy returned to politics in 2018 to contest the Senate seat that was left vacant by long-time U.S. Senator Thad Cochran’s retirement. Espy lost to Cindy Hyde Smith, interim senator. In the special election, Espy received more than 46%. Espy hails from Yazoo City. His family has been involved with funeral homes for many decades. His grandfather was the one who founded the first African American hospital for the state in 1920s Mississippi to offer a medical option for Black Mississippians. What role should Congress have in the coronavirus response? Mike Espy says that Congress should lead a coordinated, cohesive, and coordinated national response to the pandemic as well as the economic crisis. This will ensure that we don’t have an ad-hoc approach which leaves our local governments and states to manage themselves. Instead of denying the severity of the pandemic or minimising it, the Congressional leaders should have gathered together with world-renowned medical professionals to develop a comprehensive plan to close down certain areas of the United States. Do we need to put safeguards in place to reduce the national debt? Mike Espy: I am a long-time debt and deficit hawk and a former member of Congress’s Budget Committee. Therefore, we need to reduce our national debt. Gimmick protections could lead to fiscal collapse for our country’s economy, particularly during downturns such as the one we are currently in. My top priority in Congress will be to reduce our debt by making targeted, careful cuts. We can increase our economic growth and decrease our debt by giving tax breaks to the economy’s drivers — the middle class and small business owners — rather than the wealthy. Is it possible for a president to declare war on the enemy or send troops into battle without Congress approval? Mike Espy: No. The Constitution states that the President must seek approval before declaring war. I support the President’s authority to keep the country safe and carry out tailored missions such as the War on Terror. My support for those brave men and women who gave everything to protect their country is unassailable. Mississippi’s almost 200,000 veterans and 12,000 active duty service members are my priority and I will stand up against any attempts to undermine their service and their families commitment to this country. What are your top healthcare priorities? Mike Espy, I am a Mississippian and know how vital affordable healthcare is to all Mississippians. It’s part my family’s heritage. My grandfather Thomas J. Huddleston founded the first Black-owned hospital for Mississippi in 1924 during Jim Crow. My number one priority is to ensure that all Mississippians have access to affordable and quality health care. Many Mississippians are being hammered by rising premiums, copays and prescription drug costs. I will continue to build upon the Affordable Care Act to lower Mississippians’ health care costs. This includes expanding Medicaid in Mississippi, which we already pay for as taxpayers in other states. It is high time Mississippi enjoyed the same benefits and lower costs for rural hospitals as other Medicaid expansion states, like Oklahoma and Missouri. What are your priorities in public education? Mike Espy says every child in Mississippi should have access to quality education. This is regardless of where they go to school, what their family’s income, or their skin color. I was fortunate to have attended a local parochial school until I integrated the all white Yazoo City High School. All schools in my state are supported. Our public schools should receive all the public money that is available. Our public schools have been severely underfunded for years. Education decisions should be left to teachers, parents, and school administrators. I will fight for the funding and support they require, including increased teacher pay, adequate funding of training programs, and expanded federal loan forgiveness programs for educators. As Senator, I will collaborate with any president or legislator to achieve results for Mississippi’s schools. I will also demand answers about policies that harm our teachers and families. How do you feel about the current debate regarding funding for police? Mike Espy: No, I don’t support defunding the police. However, I have suggested a number clear steps to reform police so that our officers can better serve the communities. We need to hire more officers of colour, particularly Black men and women. Offering competitive salaries and continuing education opportunities can help us attract more applicants. The second is that applicants and new hires must be subject to rigorous background checks. These should include past conduct and performance. We must establish a national registry for police misconduct and disciplinary actions. The Department of Justice should require all state and local police departments to report incidents involving the use of force to it. We must also mandate de-escalation and bias training. Our mental health counselors, social workers, and addiction specialists should be trained to assist police officers. Officers are often faced with these situations every day. These experts should be working with departments so that they can better understand the situations and better serve their communities. A new standard of conduct must be established in which the unacceptable standard for “reasonable force,” is replaced by “necessary force”. Fourth, chokeholds and other restraints should be eliminated. All officers must wear body cameras while on duty. Are you a believer in criminal justice reform? What reforms would your support if you believe criminal justice reform is necessary? Mike Espy. In the past decade, technology has improved and we have a better understanding of the effects of sentencing and the criminal justice system. We are now forced to reevaluate the policies that were in place during the 20th century. The FIRST STEP Act is a vital and needed bill. Mississippi has a serious incarceration problem. Many people are in prison for technical violations and non-violent offenses, with most of them being Black men. It is a drain on families, our economy and our state budget. The majority of Americans in prison are kept in local and state jails. As your U.S. As your U.S. Senator, I would pursue a “second-step act” to address criminal justice problems at the state level and local level. Federal funds would be allocated for programs that reduce recidivism. We can both help incarcerated people and their families to deal with the financial burden of imprisonment by increasing funding and making it easier for them to access addiction treatment and psychological treatment in prisons. Recent Mississippi legislation voted to take down the state flag and confederate emblem, rather than putting it before voters. Which do you think? Mike Espy: Agree. I didn’t think I would ever see the flag fall at 66 years of age. Our state was suffering economically from the confederate battle emblem flag. Mississippi has finally turned the page on this part of its history, and is ready to start the next decade with prosperity and promise. Do you, a Mississippian think that the old state flag should go on the ballot to the people? Mike Espy: No. The legislature made the right decision to remove the flag. As a former Congressman, and U.S. Secretary for Agriculture, I understand that leaders sometimes have to make difficult decisions. The legislature took down the flag and placed a new flag for a vote. We can all move forward together with this new flag. What do you think about the removal of confederate monuments throughout the South and country? Mike Espy. I think monuments that were erected to honor confederate leaders or generals should be removed from official property. These monuments should be placed in museums that provide context for the history of the Civil War, Reconstruction and the South. I don’t believe we should glorify a time in history when one person was allowed to own another or the wars that were fought for that system. We would love to hear your opinions on any of the issues that we haven’t covered. Mike Espy, Mississippi is in a crucial moment as we enter the third decade. We are often last in rankings, and we make do with what is available. Mississippi is home of the most kind and welcoming people I know. I’m tired of leaders failing to stand up for the state. You can always count on me to be your U.S. Senator, regardless of your race, gender, age, or political beliefs. Senator. I will be an independent voice to ensure the safety, health, and economic security for Mississippi’s families. We can make Mississippi better.