Luke Ramseth

Mississippi Clarion Ledger

U.S. Senate candidate Mike Espy is again challenging his opponent, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, to debate him in advance of their runoff contest later this month.

Espy said Wednesday he has sent a letter to Republican Hyde-Smith calling on her to debate him three times between now and the Nov. 27 runoff. The Democrat also sent a letter last month asking her to debate, but she has thus far declined. A Hyde-Smith spokeswoman said the campaign was working on a response to the letter, but had not provided one as of early Wednesday evening.

"Public discourse is important, now more than ever, and Mississippians deserve to hear our views and understand where we differ, whether it’s on health care, education, or job opportunities," Espy wrote in the letter.

With 98 percent of the vote counted Wednesday afternoon, Hyde-Smith had won 42 percent and Espy 41 percent, short of the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff. In third place was Republican Chris McDaniel, with 16 percent, and Democrat Tobey Bartee, with 1 percent. More than 880,000 Mississippians voted Tuesday, far surpassing turnout in at least the last three midterm elections.

Hyde-Smith, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump and had been appointed to temporarily succeed Republican Sen. Thad Cochran, had consistently declined to debate all three challengers before the regular election Tuesday. Despite pressure from Espy and the other candidates, she said publicly she wouldn't participate in debates because of a busy schedule in Washington.

She later said on a video captured at a private campaign event she specifically didn't want to debate McDaniel, who she said was behind in the polls and simply "wanting TV time."

But she did signal late last month that she's open to debating if the race went to a runoff, telling the Greenwood Commonwealth that Espy "would be very civil."

Hyde-Smith spokeswoman Melissa Scallan confirmed the campaign received the letter and was working on a response, though she did not say if the senator would agree to any debates.

Espy is asking Hyde-Smith to debate three times, and requested they be moderated by a "nonpartisan institution that can broadcast this information to the entire state."

"Every voter in the Magnolia State should have the chance to hear from us directly," Espy wrote. "I look forward to an informed discussion before the voters of Mississippi, and to your prompt response by November 9."

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