Ty
Pinkins
Army veteran and attorney Ty Pinkins runs as an Independent for U.S. Senate in Mississippi in 2026.
- sources
- 14
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 4
Background
Ty Pinkins is an Independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Mississippi, running in the November 3, 2026 election. He was born and raised in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, in the Mississippi Delta, and is a U.S. Army veteran who served 21 years on active duty, including three combat tours in Iraq, and later served as a White House communications aide. 13
After his military career, Pinkins earned a J.D. (2020) and an LL.M. in National Security Law (2021) from Georgetown University Law Center. He subsequently worked as an Equal Justice Works Fellow and staff attorney with the Mississippi Center for Justice, and co-founded the Pyramid Project, a nonprofit serving young people in low-income communities. 11314
Pinkins previously ran for Mississippi Secretary of State in 2023 as a Democrat and for U.S. Senate in 2024 as a Democrat, both unsuccessfully. For the 2026 race he is running as an Independent, having left the Democratic Party. 35128
His campaign describes him as an advocate helping community members navigate the justice system. He is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. 25
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Mississippi
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- typinkins.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Sep 29debateDebate challenge by Colom leaves Pinkins's inclusion uncertain
Colom announced he had accepted invitations from two television stations to debate and challenged Hyde-Smith to join him. Mississippi Today reported it was unclear whether Pinkins had been invited or whether the stations would proceed if Hyde-Smith declined. No debate including Pinkins was reported.
Colom challenges Hyde-Smith to debates · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 27newsPinkins tells WLOX that sending independents to Senate is the only way forward
In an interview with WLOX, Pinkins discussed his campaign and qualifications, stating: 'the only way that we can move forward in this country, I believe, is if we send Independents to Washington, particularly in the United States Senate.'
Independent Ty Pinkins discusses campaign, race for U.S. ... · Sep 27, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24newsPinkins advocates universal health care and criticizes tariff harm to farmers in joint issue report
In a joint candidate issue report covered by WLBT, Pinkins said he would advocate for universal health care, expand Medicaid, and protect Medicare. He also said tariffs had harmed farmers and farm families.
Candidates for Mississippi's Senate race share visions ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 21newsMississippi Today identifies Pinkins as one of three candidates in November 3 Senate race
Mississippi Today reported that Pinkins, running as an independent, is competing against Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Scott Colom in the November 3 general election. His campaign rationale centers on both parties being beholden to special interests.
Mississippi midterms: Senate race pits Hyde-Smith against Colom, Pinkins · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15newsMississippi's Senate general election confirmed as plurality win, no runoff possible
The DownBallot reported, citing Secretary of State Michael Watson, that the regularly scheduled U.S. Senate election is decided by plurality and does not go to a runoff even if no candidate wins a majority. Pinkins is one of three candidates on the November 3 ballot.
Why Mississippi's Senate race won't go to a runoff—no matter what · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 15pollPoll: Hyde-Smith 44%, Colom 38%, Pinkins 7% among likely Mississippi voters
A Data for Progress survey of 1,018 likely voters conducted around August 5–15 showed Hyde-Smith at 44%, Colom at 38%, and Pinkins at 7%. This is a single poll, not a polling average, and is the latest public poll found in the sources reviewed.
October 9, 2026 - The ELLIS Insight · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingPinkins reports ~$98K raised, ~$98K spent, ~$5K cash on hand through June 30
Campaign-finance figures through June 30 showed Pinkins with approximately $98,038 raised, $98,301 spent, and $5,352 cash on hand. These figures cover filings through June 30 only.
Mississippi Senate Candidates 2026: Who's Running Against Hyde-Smith · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jan 1, 2025newsTy Pinkins leaves Democratic Party, citing donor influence and party disagreements
Pinkins left the Democratic Party in 2025, citing concerns about wealthy donors' influence and disagreements with local party leaders. He argued both parties are beholden to special interests and have failed average Mississippians.
Mississippi midterms: Senate race pits Hyde-Smith against Colom, Pinkins · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Mississippi AFL-CIO unionListed as an endorser on Pinkins's iVoterGuide profile for his Senate campaign; no endorsement date or specific election year specified, and the endorsement was noted as received after the guide's evaluation deadline. ivoterguide.com
- Mississippi Federation of Democratic Women organizationListed as an endorser on the same iVoterGuide profile; no endorsement date or specific election year specified, and the endorsement was noted as received after the guide's evaluation deadline. ivoterguide.com
- Omega Network for Action (ONFA) organizationEndorsed Pinkins during his 2024 Democratic Senate campaign, per DeSoto County News. Not established as applying to his 2026 independent Senate run. desotocountynews.com · Aug 12, 2024
- The Alpha Political Action Committee (The Alpha PAC) otherEndorsed Pinkins during his 2024 Democratic Senate campaign, per DeSoto County News. Not established as applying to his 2026 independent Senate run. desotocountynews.com · Aug 12, 2024
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $98K
- Spent
- $98K
- Cash on hand
- $5,352
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S4MS00187(opens in a new tab)
Sources 14
- [1] October 9, 2026 - The ELLIS Insight(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Healthcare | Ty for Mississippi - Ty Pinkins(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [3] Mississippi Senate Candidates 2026: Who's Running Against Hyde-Smith(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [4] Colom challenges Hyde-Smith to debates(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [5] Housing | Ty for Mississippi(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [6] Independent Ty Pinkins discusses campaign, race for U.S. ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [7] Candidates for Mississippi's Senate race share visions ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [8] Mississippi midterms: Senate race pits Hyde-Smith against Colom, Pinkins(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [9] Why Mississippi's Senate race won't go to a runoff—no matter what(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
- [10] Voter Guide Profile for MS U.S. Senate candidate - Ty Pinkins(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
- [11] Education | Ty for Mississippi(opens in a new tab) Jul 29, 2026
- [12] US Senate Candidate Questionnaire: Ty Pinkins, ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 6, 2026
- [13] Gatekeepers, sabotage, political malpractice: Pinkins parts ways ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 5, 2026
- [14] Pinkins gains support from Alpha PAC and Omega ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 12, 2024