Priscilla Williams-Till, a cousin of Emmett Till and longtime civil rights advocate, has officially entered the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Mississippi — a campaign that ties together personal legacy, history, and a fight for justice.
Williams-Till, founder of the Emmett Till Justice for Families Foundation, announced her run as a Democrat against Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026, and primaries set for March 10.
“I am running for United States Senator to help shape and enact laws that promote social justice and civil rights protections at a national level in Mississippi,” Williams-Till said at her launch.
Her campaign is deeply rooted in family history. Emmett Till’s 1955 murder in Mississippi became a turning point in America’s civil rights movement, and Williams-Till says she feels a duty to continue that fight in Congress.
Through her foundation, she has worked on federal accountability in hate crimes and racial justice cases — experience she says has prepared her for the next step.
Policy Priorities
Williams-Till’s platform spans civil rights, healthcare, and reproductive freedom:
- Justice Reform: She vows to push legislation targeting systemic injustice, including federal investigations into discriminatory policing and zoning laws.
- Healthcare: She supports Medicaid expansion and protection of rural hospitals.
- Reproductive Rights: “That’s between them and God,” she said of abortion, stressing that personal medical decisions should not be dictated by politicians.
Challenging Hyde-Smith
At an Aug. 28 press conference, Williams-Till wore a T-shirt featuring Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, as she addressed supporters at the Mississippi Capitol.
She sharply criticized Hyde-Smith’s record, recalling the senator’s infamous 2018 remark about a public hanging.
“To bring about justice is to change justice with leadership, and that’s the most important thing that can happen — you have to show leadership by example,” she said.
A Crowded Race
Williams-Till is not the only challenger. Former Democratic nominee Ty Pinkins is running as an independent, while Democratic prosecutor Scott Colom has also announced his candidacy.
That sets the stage for one of Mississippi’s most closely watched races in 2026.
