A number of businesses and organizations want their money back from Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., amid the fallout from racially tinged controversies that appear to have made her vulnerable in her runoff Tuesday against Democratic opponent Mike Espy in a traditionally red state.
Among the missteps that have thrown Hyde-Smith’s effort to stay in office in doubt was a video showing her joking three weeks ago about how she would sit in “the front row” of a public hanging.
Hyde-Smith offered an apology to “anyone that was offended” by her hanging remark during her sole public debate with Espy, who is African-American, last week, but that hasn’t stopped Walmart and others to request that her campaign refund all their donations.
Here is a list of those companies and organizations:
- Major League Baseball: The organization said Sunday it is asking Hyde-Smith to return a $5,000 donation made on Friday. “The contribution was made in connection with an event that MLB lobbyists were asked to attend,” an MLB spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports. “MLB has requested that the contribution be returned.”
- Walmart: The world’s largest retailer asked for a refund last week after it contributed $2,000 to Hyde-Smith’s campaign. “Sen. Hyde-Smith’s recent comments clearly do not reflect the values of our company and associates. As a result, we are withdrawing our support and requesting a refund of all campaign donations,” Walmart wrote in its post on social media platform Twitter.
- Union Pacific: The railroad owner requested its money back, declaring that it “in no way, shape or form condones or supports divisive or perceived to be divisive statements.”
- Boston Scientific: The medical device manufacturer asked for a refund on its $2,500 donation from earlier this month.
- Pfizer: The drug company contributed a $5,000 in two separate installments, but now want’s it back. “We condemn racism and bigotry in all its forms,” Pfizer told the Washington Examiner. “We are withdrawing our support and have requested a full refund of our contributions.”
- Amgen: The biotechnology company requested its money back after giving at least $2,000 to Hyde-Smith’s campaign. “Amgen is committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion. We believe that an environment of diversity and inclusion fosters innovation, which drives our ability to serve patients,” an Amgen spokeswoman told CNBC.
- Leidos: The defense contractor has asked for it’s $5,000 contribution back.
- AT&T: The telecom giant wants its $2,000 donation refunded. “We are no longer supporting Sen. Hyde-Smith and have requested a refund of our campaign contributions,” a spokesman told New York Daily News.
- Google: The tech giant asked for a refund of its $5,000 campaign contribution. ”I can confirm that Google requested a refund,” a Google spokeswoman said, according to CNBC.
- Facebook: The social media company gave $2,500 to Hyde-Smith in September, but asked for its money back late Monday. “The recent public comments made by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith do not reflect the values or mission of Facebook,” a Facebook representative said, according to the Washington Post. “Our PAC contribution was made before these comments were made, and we have asked the Hyde-Smith campaign to return our campaign donation.”
Hyde-Smith, who was appointed in April to temporarily fill the seat vacated by Thad Cochran, will get a last-minute boost from President Trump, who will campaign for her in Mississippi on Monday. “Respected by all. We need her in Washington! Thanks!” he tweeted Sunday.
Meanwhile, Espy, a former U.S. agriculture secretary and U.S. congressman, has gotten a helping hand from top Democratic Party figures with an eye on a 2020 challenge against Trump, including Sens. Cory Booker and Kamala Harris.
[New: Cindy Hyde-Smith rises above controversy in Mississippi Senate poll showing her 10 points ahead]
