Cindy Hyde-Smith

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith defeats Mike Espy in U.S. Senate runoff, becomes first Mississippi woman elected to Congress. Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, backed by President Donald Trump, fended off a challenge from Democrat Mike Espy in a closely watched Senate runoff election marked by racial tensions late Tuesday, according to NBC News and the Associated Press. Hyde-Smith was appointed by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant to fill the seat of longtime GOP Sen. Thad Cochran, who retired in April because of failing health. With the victory, she becomes the first woman elected to Congress from Mississippi. Ref. Source 6z.