'Public Hanging' Candidate Scores Key US Midterms Victory

Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith won a U.S. Senate special election runoff in conservative Mississippi on Tuesday, after a campaign that recalled the history of racist violence in the deep South state.

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In the last stretch of her electoral campaign, Hyde-Smith declared with laughter that "If invited to a public hanging, I'd be in the front row."

She also appeared in photos showing Confederate artifacts with a caption that read "The best of the history of Mississippi!" as well as suggesting preventing liberals from voting.

These comments generated arduous criticism as a white candidate making use of the state's painful historical past to win votes among rural whites.

While Mississippi has deep Republican roots, 38 percent of the current population is black, which is a noticeable feature of the state's electoral reality. 

Mike Espy, who was defeated by Hyde-Smith, would have been the first black democratic senator from Mississippi since shortly after the Civil War.

Seen from a broader perspective, Hyde-Smith's victory means Republicans will hold a 53-47 majority in the new U.S. Senate that convenes in January.

Furthermore, she is considered a reliable conservative who will support Donald Trump's policies, especially in relation to the control of illegal migration.

Trump attended tweeted his congratulations to Hyde-Smith after the race was called, saying he was "very proud" of her.

"Mr. President, thank you so much for all of your help," Hyde-Smith said and called her win a triumph of "conservative values."