Mississippians will cast their ballot in the state’s 2024 U.S. Senate race on Tuesday, Nov. 5. 

Currently serving in the contested seat is Roger Wicker, a University of Mississippi alumnus, incumbent since 2007 and native of Pontotoc, Miss. Given Mississippi has not elected a Democrat to the Senate for almost 42 years, Wicker likely will enjoy a sweeping victory.

Challenger Ty Pinkins won the Democratic party’s nomination uncontested and is vying to disrupt Mississippi’s historical political homogeneity. As an active duty member of the U.S. Army for 21 years, graduate of Georgetown Law, former employee of the Obama administration and a civil rights lawyer, Pinkins definitely packs a punch when it comes to political qualifications.

The question, though, is can Pinkins actually secure the vote?

National Democratic Party supporters and members have arguably failed to propel Mississippi candidates to victory. Long-time serving Bennie Thompson of Mississippi’s 2nd district in the House of Representatives has provided little to lukewarm support for Pinkins, as claimed by Pinkins himself in an email to the Clarion-Ledger. More shockingly, out of the $25 million allocated by current Vice President Kamala Harris to candidates across the nation, not a penny is going to Mississippi candidates.

Leaving Mississippi Democrats high and dry tracks with national perceptions that Mississippi is fervently, 100%, God-ordained Grand Old Party sympathizers. But is that really the case? 

While Pinkins probably may not be moving to Washington, D.C., Mississippi may be turning a degree of purple. In last year’s gubernatorial race, Democrat Brandon Presley narrowly lost by 3.2% to Trump-endorsed Tate Reeves in a state that is supposedly “unabashedly red.” 

Wicker currently has support from 47% of prospective voters, only 5% higher than Pinkins’ 42%. The reason: Mississippi Republicans strayed from small government ideals and began to frolic with the subtly cult-like MAGA image, and voters are disillusioned by their lack of legislative action.

National party leaders need to do better to support Democratic candidates from the state level to local positions, invigorating grassroots support to vote blue. Mississippi voters — especially Republicans — need to reconsider for whom they cast their ballot.

Kadin Collier is a freshman Arabic and international studies double major from Hattiesburg, Miss.