Mike Espy was on the ground running Wednesday, the day after coming in second to Cindy Hyde Smith, interim U.S. Senator. He campaigned at Jackson’s restaurant Wednesday morning and challenged Hyde-Smith to an open debate. “Mississippians should hear our views and see where we stand, on issues such as education, health care, or job opportunities. In a letter to Hyde Smith, he stated that the stakes were too high. He challenged her to debate in three different places throughout the state. Hyde-Smith spoke out Tuesday night at her election party about the possibility of a debate. She said that she was getting her team together to discuss the matter and to make plans for how they would move forward. It would be a simple, straightforward forum to enter. I want voters to hear all we have to offer, even if you vote against me – a conservative vs. a Democrat. “We’ve got an excellent message and we’re ready to put it out there,” Hyde-Smith was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Thad Cochran, who had retired from health reasons, was replaced by Phil Bryant. Bryant refused to debate. She initially claimed she didn’t have the time to debate due to Senate commitments in Washington, D.C. Later, she was caught on video saying that she didn’t want to participate in a debate alongside fellow Republican, antiestablishment state senator Chris McDaniel, Ellisville. McDaniel received 16 percent of Tuesday’s vote in unofficial results and supported Hyde-Smith during his concession speech. Unofficial results showed Hyde-Smith winning the most votes with 364,176 votes. This is 41.4 percent to 358.578 and 40.8 percent for Espy. In a Nov. 27 runoff election, they will again face off. Mississippi Today has the complete coverage of the historic runoff between Cindy Hyde Smith and Mike Espy. Click here To support this important work, make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today.