Jackson, November 28 (RHC)-- In the U.S. state of Mississippi, nooses were found hanging outside the state Capitol ahead of Tuesday’s Senate runoff between Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy.  

Hyde-Smith has come under fire for praising a supporter at a campaign event days before the midterm elections in early November with the words: “If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row.” 

In recent days, photos emerged showing Hyde-Smith in a Confederate army cap and posing with a vintage rifle, sword and other Confederate artifacts.  

Cindy Hyde-Smith won the Tuesday election over her opponent, Mike Espy, who is African-American.