MS Megathread: Hyde-Smith wins by 8

[Dr. MB]

I'm predicting a Democratic majority in 2018. I think the Dem will win both Nevada and Arizona and at least one out of Mississippi special, Tennessee, and Texas, plus maybe Arizona special if that happens.

[Dr. MB]

Could a runoff happen? I expect this election to be close, and there is one other candidate, Richard Boyanton – in 2014 Thomas Carey got only 1.5% but barely enough to deny either Cochran or McDaniel an outright victory.

[Dr. MB]

Is Presley a blue dog or more closer to Doug Jones/Jason Kander/Richard Ojeda?

He's a Good Old Boy. So a Blue Dog, I suppose.

Describes himself as "Populist Democrat, Chairman of the Mississippi Public Service Commission-Cousin to the King of Rock & Roll-Winston Churchill enthusiast"

According to Ballotpedia:

On his 2011 campaign website Presley listed seven campaign issues that were the core of his campaign and work on the PSC:

"Fighting Against Rate Hikes and Wasteful Spending"
"Fighting Corporate Excess"
"Helping Small Businesses"
"Ratepayer's Bill of Rights"
"Enforcing the No-Call law, Protecting Consumers"
"Changing the Culture at the Public Service Commission"
"Fighting for Rural Areas"

[Dr. MB]

Policy-wise, what are the main differences between Espy and Presley?

[Dr. MB]

Will that mean a tied Senate at 49-49 after Cochran steps down and assuming McCain does as well later on this year?

No, the governors (both Republicans) will appoint interim senators.

[Dr. MB]

Cindy Hyde-Smith can and will beat back Chris McDaniel and ultimately win the seat. From my sources, she’s well liked and intelligent. She has all the credentials needed for a race in MS: religious, conservative, and relatable. Smith is a tried and true conservative who served MS well. Chris McDaniel is an opportunistic pseudo-conservative who cares about himself more than the country.

Everything you said is true, except I'm not 100% sure on the first sentence. Especially if Andy Taggart stupidly butts into the race and takes Jackson area Establishment Republican votes away from her.

Smith will get her base from rural voters. She’s from a farming community. McDaniel is the one from Jackson.

I'd think a much higher percentage of rural voters would support McDaniel than Hyde-Smith, especially in the north and south of the state.