HYDE-SMITH, CINDY, a Senator from Mississippi; born in Brookhaven, Miss., May 10, 1959; graduated Copiah-Lincoln Community College; B.A., University of Southern Mississippi, 1981; cattle farmer; member of the Mississippi state senate 2000-2012; Mississippi state commissioner of agriculture and commerce 2012-2018; appointed as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Thad Cochran; took the oath of office on April 9, 2018; subsequently elected in a special election on November 27, 2018, for the remainder of the term ending January 3, 2021.