Dem. leaders refute complaints by US Senate candidate Ty Pinkins. See what he said

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ty Pinkins told the Clarion Ledger that during an Aug. 21 meeting at the Democratic National Convention, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-District 2, told a room of Mississippi Democrats not to support Pinkins' campaign.

The biggest issue with that statement is several of the meeting's attendees, including high ranking state party members, deny that ever happened.

On the third day of the convention, Pinkins said Thompson was speaking to the party about supporting Democratic candidates, but he said that some needed to "earn it," alluding to Pinkins. Pinkins also called out several DNC leaders and state Democrats for not publicly or financially supporting him.

"I think that there's an issue with gatekeeping in Mississippi, and I think that gatekeeping starts with Congressman Bennie Thompson, and because of his lack of support, others in the Democratic Party have been afraid to support me," Pinkins said.

Pinkins said he was not in the meeting but was told about the statement from a high-ranking Democrat in Mississippi who was in the meeting.

Thompson declined to comment on Pinkins' statement. He also did not respond to questions relating to whether he has publicly endorsed the Pinkins' campaign.

Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman and state Rep. Cheikh Taylor, D-Starkville, confirmed with the Clarion Ledger that Thompson spoke to the state delegation on the morning of Aug. 21, but Thompson in no way referred to Pinkins or told attendees not to support him.

"This conversation does not benefit moving the party, nor campaigns forward," Taylor said. "The Democratic Party is here to promote and to use our resources available to help candidates win, and to my recollection, that's what we've done."

Mississippi Democratic Party Vice Chair Bill Wheeler said Thompson never referred to Pinkins in the Aug. 21 comments but was speaking about earning back Mississippi as a battleground state and the efforts to move the party in that direction.

"I never heard Congressman Thompson say that, and as far as I know, he's supporting Ty Pinkins," Wheeler said. "We spoke about Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. We honored Fannie Lou Hamer, and the focus was to get out the vote and get as many Democrats elected as possible to get ready for municipal elections next year."

Executive Committee members Ashley Floyd, Pam Shaw and Othor Cain all said at no point during that meeting or throughout the convention did Thompson ever say or suggest that Democrats shouldn't support Pinkins.

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Pinkins, after hearing what Mississippi Democrats said about the meeting, told the Clarion Ledger he believes they were just protecting Thompson.

"It's part of that whole gatekeeper syndrome when someone like Congressman Thompson does not support something, people see his nonsupport, and they follow suit in the party; that's what I've experienced," he said.

Is this a political strategy?

Shaw, who has also served as a political strategist for several campaigns in the past, said it was unclear what Pinkins' strategy or goal is in calling out Thompson.

"I don't know that there is a strategy, and I don't know how to mend hurt feelings," Shaw said.

Shaw also said that as for Pinkins feeling like the party isn't supporting him, it is not typical for the Mississippi Democratic Party to invest money directly into campaigns, but rather to start or support programs for candidates.

The Pinkins' campaign timeline

Pinkins announced his campaign for U.S. Senate in early 2023, but in September he took over the campaign to unseat Republican Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson after former Democratic candidate Shuwaski Young bowed out due to health reasons.

Pinkins lost that race, gaining about 35% of votes.

On Jan. 8, he reinstated his Senate campaign during a speech at the Mississippi State Capitol. He told reporters at the time he was running on women's health rights, Medicaid expansion and added funding for public schools.

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Throughout the campaign, Pinkins has also been to several fundraising events in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, he appeared with former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brandon Presley, who also lost his statewide race last year, albeit by a close margin.

Presley's team has even sponsored an event with Pinkins earlier this year, Pinkins said.

Through all of that time, Pinkins said the Democratic Party members, including Presley, national leaders and state lawmakers have done little to support his campaign.

"I've been doing this for 20 months now, and I haven't heard a word from the Democratic Party as to how they can support me monetarily, with people or information or materials. Absolutely nothing," Pinkins said.

Pinkins has not directly received money from the state or national Democratic parties, according to Federal Election Commission filings ending June 30. Republican Incumbent U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, who has served in the Senate since 2008 and is well-liked among his party has also not received state or national Republican party money.

Pinkins also said that Presley had promised him a campaign fundraiser at his new home in Water Valley but that it was canceled at the last minute for an event for Thompson.

According to both Presley's personal and professional social media pages, there was never a fundraiser for Pinkins announced at any point. Presley declined to comment on the matter directly.

"I'm happy to have donated and sponsored an event in Jackson for Ty Pinkins," Presley said. "I certainly look forward to voting for him on November the fifth."

How is Ty Pinkins' campaign going?

As of Tuesday, there are 55 days left before the Nov. 5 election. According to poll data from The Hill, a news and political data website, Wicker has a 99% chance of winning.

So far, Pinkins has raised approximately $499,333 and spent $447,374, leaving him with about $52,106 in cash on hand, according to FEC data. A large portion of that fundraising has come via ActBlue, a political action group and fundraising platform that sends money from individual donors to candidates aimed at supporting Democrats.

In comparison, Wicker has raised $6.1 million in contributions and transfers from other committees and spent more than $5 million as of June 30. Wicker has $3.6 million in cash on hand, which includes funds he raised prior to 2023.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS Democrats refute claims made by US Senate candidate Ty Pinkins