Cindy Hyde-Smith in State of Mississippi secondary Archives
On Civil Rights:
Marriage is between a man & a woman
Q: Gay Marriage: Support gay marriage?Mike Espy (D): Yes. "Committed to ALL Mississippians having access to their rights of citizenship," regardless of sexual orientation.
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R):
No. "Personally believes marriage is between a man & a woman."
Chris McDaniel (R): No. Supreme Court gay marriage decision "has absolutely no basis" in Constitution or common law.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Guide on MS Senate Special Election
Oct 9, 2018
On Abortion:
Stands behind her 100% pro-life record on abortion issues
Hyde-Smith was particular in outlining her ideology, saying "I've been a conservative all my life." She hit on numerous red-meat issues, including cutting taxes, securing borders, reducing regulations, being anti-abortion and pro-Second Amendment
rights. She said she is proud of her record in the state Legislature and stands by it. Hyde-Smith is a lifetime NRA member who received an "A" grade when she ran for agriculture commissioner and has a "100 percent pro-life" record on abortion issues.
Source: Clarion-Ledger on 2018 MS Senate Special Election
Mar 22, 2018
On Budget & Economy:
Fiscal conservative who cut spending and didn't borrow
Cindy led the fight to protect private property rights against eminent domain abuses and was a strong supporter of tort reform which ended lawsuit abuse in Mississippi, paving the way for more jobs and new businesses locating in Mississippi.
She also supported fiscally conservative budget initiatives. When the recession hit America, Mississippi's budget was deeply impacted. Cindy helped craft a balanced budget by cutting spending, not borrowing more money.
Source: Clarion-Ledger OpEd on 2018 MS Senate Special Election
Mar 23, 2018
On Corporations:
Proponent of cutting business regulations
Hyde-Smith thanked Gov. Phil Bryant for entrusting her with the appointment to the Senate. "I pledge to you to serve all of our citizens with dignity, honor and respect," she said. She pledged to work closely with Mississippi's other
Republican senator, Roger Wicker, and to promote President Donald Trump's agenda. In 2016, she was one of many agriculture advisers to Trump's presidential campaign. She praised his administration for cutting regulations on businesses.
Source: WTVA.com on 2018 MS Senate Special Election
Mar 23, 2018
On Corporations:
Roll back rules from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Q: Financial Regulation: Support cutbacks in Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)?Mike Espy (D): No. Need "laws against waste, fraud & corruption" to protect people. "Wall Street seems immune from any restraint."
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R):
Unclear. Voted to roll back CFPB rule limiting potentially discriminatory auto loan rates.
Chris McDaniel (R): Unclear on CFPB. End "burdensome regulations." Require Congress to approve new regulations.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Guide on MS Senate Special Election
Oct 9, 2018
On Education:
Sees agri-tourism as a great tool in educating the youth
Through targeted marketing campaigns and educational initiatives, we can support our growers and help them increase visibility and seek out new markets. Agri-tourism has a promising future in Mississippi . What better place to jump-start this trend
on a local level, than with our youth? Just think of all the schools in our 82 counties that are all looking for educational field trips. The agricultural community can provide excellent demonstrations of our most essential industry.
Source: 2018 MS Senate Special Election campaign website mdac.ms.gov
Dec 31, 2014
On Energy & Oil:
Supports alternative energy for its new business potential
Another potential area for expansion is in alternative energy; an industry I believe is poised to grow in Mississippi in the very near future.
Right now, businesses are looking to our state to start alternative energy ventures, and we have to be prepared to market our abundant natural resources if we want to set ourselves apart.
Source: 2018 MS Senate Special Election campaign website mdac.ms.gov
Dec 31, 2014
On Environment:
Values and respects land and farmers; sees growth potential
Traveling throughout our great state visiting farms, stockyards, nurseries, greenhouses, and orchards, it is easy to see why Mississippi has such an incredibly rich and diverse agricultural history.
With our fertile soil, temperate climate, and gifted farmers, we have the resources, fortitude, and versatility to provide safe, affordable food to the growing world population.
Source: 2018 MS Senate Special Election campaign website mdac.ms.gov
Dec 31, 2014
On Environment:
Supports deregulatory path taken by Trump EPA
Q: Environment: Support restraints on Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)?Mike Espy (D): No position found.
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Yes. Supports the deregulatory path taken by Trump EPA.
Chris McDaniel (R): Yes. Calls for "regulatory reform of the Environmental Protection Agency."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Guide on MS Senate Special Election
Oct 9, 2018
On Families & Children:
No funds for family planning service if it includes abortion
Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?Mike Espy (D): Legal. "I'm anti-abortion, but I'm pro-choice." "Women should have the basic right to make their own decisions."
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Ban. "100% pro-life."
Chris McDaniel (R): Ban.
Has authored repeated "legislation to protect the unborn." Voted to ban abortions after 15 weeks.
Q: Healthcare: Allow Planned Parenthood to receive public funds for non-abortion health services?
Mike Espy (D): Probable yes.
Says will fight for women's rights & reproductive health care. including the availability of medical services.
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): No. Opposes public funds going toward family planning services at healthcare organizations that also provide
abortions.
Chris McDaniel (R): No. "Defund Planned Parenthood." Doesn't matter that their clinic doesn't offer abortion, because their money is fungible.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Guide on MS Senate Special Election
Oct 9, 2018
On Free Trade:
Led the way to open foreign markets for American products
As agriculture commissioner, she modernized the Department of Agriculture and Commerce by being a strong leader who knew how to stay on budget and get results for our farmers and small businesses. Cindy led the fight to open foreign markets for American
products to be sold overseas, and she fought for country-of-origin food labeling. According to the state Legislature, she ran a "model agency" based on performance and program effectiveness.
Source: Clarion-Ledger OpEd on 2018 MS Senate Special Election
Mar 23, 2018
On Free Trade:
Tariffs on China hurt now but work in the long run
Q: Support President Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?Mike Espy (D): No. Tariffs need to come to a halt. They harm Mississippi soybean production.
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R):
Yes. Hard for soybean growers, but they "just have to hold on. They will be better off in the long run."
Chris McDaniel (R): Yes. "China First is NOT America First. Mexico First is NOT America first."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Guide on MS Senate Special Election
Oct 9, 2018
On Government Reform:
Require voter ID before voting
Q: Support voting rules that prioritize preventing the possibility of fraud, even if they limit access?Mike Espy (D): Probable No. Says "I stand firmly for civil rights, voting rights & women's rights."
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Yes.
Voted for legislation requiring specific forms of voter identification in order to vote.
Chris McDaniel (R): Yes. Helped defeat bill giving felons the right to vote & instituting early voting. Instead, pushed for a stronger voter-ID bill.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Guide on MS Senate Special Election
Oct 9, 2018
On Gun Control:
Right to bear arms is essential to American Liberty
Q: Support more restrictive gun control legislation?Mike Espy (D): Yes, up to a point. "I believe in the Second Amendment. but things have changed." No assault weapons to anyone under 21 or "declared a danger to himself or others."
Cindy
Hyde-Smith (R): No. Says, "Right to bear arms is essential to American Liberty. No law-abiding Mississippian should EVER be denied their constitutional rights."
Chris McDaniel (R): No. Will never take away rights of law-abiding gun-owners.
Source: 2018 CampusElect Guide on MS Senate Special Election
Oct 9, 2018
On Immigration:
Separating kids at border is distressing, but enforce law
Q: Response to family separation policy being used as a deterrent to illegal immigrants?Mike Espy (D): "Separating children from their families is misguided. We can have secure borders WITHOUT punishing innocent children."
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): "Distressing to me as a mother, but we cannot lose sight that US immigration laws must be enforced."
Chris McDaniel (R): Obama "separated children from families & the national press said NOTHING. But now there is outrage."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Guide on MS Senate Special Election
Oct 9, 2018
On Jobs:
Noted as "Business and Jobs" champion by oversight committee
Hyde-Smith's legislative "report cards" from the state Business and Industry Political Education Committee--for years considered a litmus test for Mississippi Republicans' voting records--have carried grades as high as many Republicans and she was
repeatedly deemed a "Business and Jobs Champion" with her votes. [Opponent Chris] McDaniel, who often votes against the state GOP leadership and business interests, has a "D" grade with BIPEC, but had also been a business champion for 9 previous years.
Source: USA Today on 2018 MS Senate Special Election
Mar 22, 2018
On Principles & Values:
Follows Trump principles to "make America great again"
Cindy Hyde-Smith, state commissioner of agriculture and commerce, was appointed by the governor to fill in for the rest of the year the seat vacated by Sen. Cochran. "I pledge to serve with honor and respect. I want to thank Senator
Cochran for his leadership, dedication and service to our state. I'm also looking forward to working with President Trump and everyone else who believes in the policies and principles that are making America great again," she said at a press conference.
Source: Washington Times on 2018 MS Senate Special Election
Mar 21, 2018
On Tax Reform:
Champion of GOP tax reform bill; cites historic tax cuts
Hyde-Smith's website says she's a "strong, unwavering supporter of President Trump." She met with VP Mike Pence and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to champion the GOP's tax reform last year. The agenda outlined on her campaign site favors the
Trump administration, as well. She wants to protect "historic Trump tax cuts," champion Trump's immigration plan, fully repeal Obamacare, protect the Second Amendment, and support "the right to life of the unborn."
Source: Bustle.com on 2018 MS Senate Special Election
Mar 21, 2018
On Technology:
Emerging technology has need and value in the marketplace
By using emerging technology, we can strengthen the enforcement of critical laws and regulations
to ensure fairness and equity in the marketplace while maintaining high standards for agricultural products and services.
Source: 2018 MS Senate Special Election campaign website mdac.ms.gov
Dec 31, 2014
On War & Peace:
Stop Iran from advancing any further on the world stage
A dozen Republican Senator wrote in support of the Trump administration's so-called maximum pressure strategy to succeed against terrorist-financiers like Iran. In an Aug. 22 letter to the Treasury Secretary, "We understand that Iran's leaders are
working with American adversaries, and reportedly even with some allies, to circumvent these sanctions." Specifically, the lawmakers requested any necessary steps to guarantee the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT),
an international banking messaging system that connects financial institutions around the world, disconnects the Central Bank of Iran and all other designated Iranian financial institutions.
"Iran is an unapologetic sponsor of global terrorism,
and cutting off Iran's ability to finance those activities is necessary," said Sen. Hyde-Smith. "President Trump and Secretary Mnuchin should absolutely keep working to stop Iran from advancing any further as a bad actor on the world stage."
Source: Ripon Advance on 2018 MS Senate Special Election
Aug 28, 2018
On Welfare & Poverty:
Add work requirement to food stamp programs
Q: Require people to work to receive Medicaid?Mike Espy (D): No. "Mississippians should have full access." Expand funding of Medicaid & CHIP.
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Unclear. Support Farm Bill amendment adding a work requirement to
food stamp programs.
Chris McDaniel (R): Probable yes, though no Medicaid mention. "I WILL support & vote for work requirements for welfare recipients."
Source: 2018 CampusElect Guide on MS Senate Special Election
Oct 9, 2018
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023