Sherman picks up endorsement in Mississippi Dem Senate race

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi lawmaker who placed third in a U.S. Senate primary is endorsing one of the remaining candidates.

State Rep. Omeria Scott of Laurel announced Friday that she will support venture capitalist Howard Sherman of Meridian, saying Sherman offers “bold and powerful” ideas.

Sherman faces state Rep. David Baria of Bay St. Louis in a June 26 Democratic primary runoff. They advanced Tuesday from a field of six candidates.

In the Nov. 6 general election, the Democratic nominee will face Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, the Reform Party’s Shawn O’Hara of Hattiesburg and Libertarian Danny Bedwell of Columbus.

Wicker has held the Senate seat since late 2007. Mississippi last had a Democrat in the U.S. Senate in January 1989.

Baria has been endorsed by several other state lawmakers. He said Friday that he has been privileged to serve with Scott in the Mississippi House and he respects her decision to back Sherman.

“We hope she encourages Howard Sherman to accept our invitation to participate in a televised/livestream debate so that the citizens of Mississippi can see the candidates, hear their views and make an informed decision,” Baria said in a statement.

Scott stood with Sherman in Laurel as she announced her endorsement. She said he has shown that he can raise campaign money and that he could help the state by creating jobs. She also said that Sherman believes in a social safety net for people who can’t take care of themselves.

“Hope Village is an example of that,” Scott said, speaking of the group home in Meridian that Sherman and his wife, actress Sela Ward, founded for troubled children.

Sherman said Scott brought “a level of dignity” to the Senate campaign and thanked her for the support. “This is the first step in the Democratic Party coming together,” he said.

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