What do Senate candidates Cindy Hyde-Smith, Scott Colom say about affordability?
Editor's note: This is the Sun Herald's third Fact Check on the race for U.S. Senate in Mississippi. Previous stories have shined a light on the candidates' stances on data centers and Flock cameras .
Affordability has become a hot-button issue as campaign season winds down and Election Day nears across the country.
A recent report from the Labor Department showed consumer prices in September were up 3.7% from a year ago. In addition, a rise in energy prices tied to the U.S. war with Iran pushed the cost of living higher, as prices jumped 0.6% between August and September.
Here is what the candidates for U.S. Senate in Mississippi, Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde Smith and Democrat Scott Colom, have to say about the matter.
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith
The Republican incumbent says she supports federal policies to foster an economic environment that encourages job growth in Mississippi and the nation. She also says she supports the tax cuts and reforms enacted by President Trump and the Republican-majority Congress, and believes in the elimination of federal regulations that hinder small businesses, farmers, and industry.
"High fuel prices are affecting all of us. My family's farm feels the impact of higher fuel and energy costs, so I understand what higher costs mean for all of our families, farms, and small businesses," Hyde-Smith said. "I serve on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where we are working to increase domestic energy production, unleash American energy, and create more American jobs. During President Trump's first term, America achieved energy independence, and with the right policies, we can do it again."
Scott Colom
The Democrat is running on a platform to lower costs, raise wages, and save Mississippians' health care and hospitals, according to his campaign.
Colom opposes the war in Iran and tariffs which are driving up the cost of living for Mississippians, supports raising the federal minimum wage, and supports reversing the cuts to the ACA credits.
"Everywhere I go, including at the more than 50 town halls I've hosted, I hear from Mississippians about how expensive the cost of living has gotten," Colom said. "That's because my opponent ... keeps putting Mississippi last. She continues to defend the Iran War and tariffs that are raising the cost of gas, groceries, and other necessities, and she voted to kick thousands of Mississippians off their health care. I will do the opposite. In the Senate, I will lower costs, raise wages, and save our health care and hospitals."
