Pinkins seeks six-stop debate tour ahead of 2026 Senate election

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Independent U.S. Senate candidate Ty Pinkins welcomed Democrat Scott Colom to the race and invited incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith to participate in a six-stop, nonpartisan debate series scheduled across Mississippi from November 2025 through October 2026.

Pinkins, who announced his campaign in January before leaving the Democratic Party to run as an Independent, said his goal is to speak directly to all Mississippians, regardless of party.

“I welcome Scott Colom to the race and invite Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith to join us on stage,” Pinkins said. “More voices mean more voters—and better ideas for Mississippi. I’ll debate anyone, anywhere, anytime—let’s give folks a real choice.”

The proposed debates would be held in major media markets:

• November 2025 at Mississippi Valley State University
• January 2026 in the Golden Triangle region
• March 2026 in Meridian
• May 2026 on the Gulf Coast
• September 2026 in the Pine Belt
• October 2026 in Jackson.

According to the campaign, debates would be hosted by neutral organizations such as the League of Women Voters and Mississippi Public Broadcasting, with mutually agreed nonpartisan moderators. The framework calls for 90-minute events with equal speaking time, questions from local journalists and voters, and free public access with livestream and radio coverage.

If a candidate declines to participate, Pinkins said the event would proceed as a community town hall, with an open podium reserved should they reconsider.