U.S. Senate candidate Ty Pinkins is literally running for office.
Pinkins, who is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, started a jogging journey of 500 miles in the northern part of Mississippi back in April and has so far run to 48 municipalities. With each stop, he’s taken time to speak to voters about their concerns and what can be done in Washington to ease those worries.
“This run is not just about miles,” Pinkins said. “It’s about taking strides toward a Mississippi where everyone has access to affordable healthcare, where economic opportunities are abundant, and where women’s rights are fully respected and protected. Each step brings us closer to that vision.”
If all goes as planned, Pinkins will reach the 500-mile milestone in Hattiesburg on Monday, Aug. 26 – which is also proclaimed across the U.S. as Women’s Equality Day. To celebrate, he will be hosting a press conference at Shoemaker Square on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi.
“At the 500-mile mark, Pinkins will have a press conference where he plans to talk about his journey to date, core campaign issues, and his strategy to extend his advocacy efforts to the Gulf Coast in the upcoming weeks and months,” a news release noted. The press conference will take place between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
A decorated Army veteran, Pinkins graduated from Georgetown School of Law in 2021 and has served his home region of the Mississippi Delta ever since. According to his campaign’s website, he advocates on behalf of residents in underserved communities by helping them navigate the justice system. He’s also testified before Congress, arguing Black farmers in Mississippi face unfair pay practices.
Pinkins announced his intentions to run for U.S. Senate in early 2023 but was recruited by the Democratic party in September to take over as nominee for secretary of state after Shuwaski Young suspended his campaign due to health concerns ahead of last year’s election. The eleventh-hour nominee garnered around 40 percent of the vote but was defeated by Republican Michael Watson.
Pinkins and Wicker will face off on Nov. 5 as five of six congressional seats will be on the ballot alongside four Mississippi Supreme Court seats, U.S. president, and some local elections.
