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- Republican U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s re-election campaign has outraised all other federal candidates in Mississippi this election cycle, bringing in over $6 million. Her Democrat challenger Scott Colom is closing in on $4 million. Three of the Magnolia State’s four incumbent Congressmen now top $1 million cash on hand.
Third quarter campaign finance reports were due last week ahead of the November 3 midterm General Election, which is now two weeks away.
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith continues to far outpace her challengers, and the rest of the Mississippi congressional field, in terms of campaign cash on hand.
Third quarter campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) show Hyde-Smith with $2.43 million after raising $935,000 between the three committees supporting her re-election bid.
Her primary campaign fund, “Cindy Hyde-Smith for U.S. Senate,” pulled in $687,000 over the last three months, pushing her fundraising total to $6.2 million this cycle.
Hyde-Smith’s main general election opponent, Democrat Scott Colom, reported a cash on hand total of $992,000 after raising $1.32 million in the third quarter. The Lowndes County District Attorney has now raised $3.93 million this election cycle.
Hyde-Smith and Colom are not the only candidates for U.S. Senate on the ballot. Independent Ty Pinkins has raised nearly $104,000 this election cycle and reported a cash on hand total of $4,900.
Down ticket federal races show 2nd District Congressman Bennie Thompson (D) with the most cash on hand of Mississippi’s four congressional incumbents. Thompson’s latest FEC report shows the 30-plus year incumbent with $1.36 million on hand after raising $157,000 in the third quarter.
Thompson’s General Election opponents are Republican Ron Eller and Independent Bennie Foster. Eller’s report shows his campaign with $38,000 cash on hand while raising $19,000. Foster’s third quarter report is not showing with the FEC currently, but his second quarter report listed $9,000 cash on hand.
In the 1st Congressional District, incumbent Republican Congressman Trent Kelly reported $1 million cash on hand compared to his Democrat challenger Cliff Johnson’s $186,000. Kelly brought in $256,000 over the last three months while Johnson amassed $257,000.
Libertarian Johnny Baucom does not have a report on file with the FEC.
Moving down the state, 3rd District Congressman Michael Guest (R) reported just south of $1.1 million cash on hand while raising $132,000 in the third quarter. His Democrat challenger Michael Chiaradio has $32,000 on hand after bringing in $53,000 this period.
Libertarian Erik Kiehle does not have a report on file with the FEC.
Finally, in the 4th Congressional District, incumbent Republican Mike Ezell has a cash on hand balance of $166,000, after raising $103,000 in the third quarter.
Ezell has two General Election opponents, Democrat State Rep. Jeffrey Hulum and perennial candidate Carl Boyaton, a Republican turned Independent. Hulum reported less than $11,000 cash on hand while Boyanton showed $25,000. The Democrat raised $29,000 this period and the Independent brought in $2,300.
The General Election is November 3. Each of these candidates will be on the ballot for voters to choose who will represent them in Washington D.C. in the upcoming Congress.
