Michael Smith, Cindy Hyde-Smith’s Husband: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Michael Smith is the first and only husband of Cindy Hyde-Smith, who is currently running in the runoff election for the U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi.

Hyde-Smith, a staunch Republican, is running with a slight lead against Democrat Mike Espy.

Here’s what you need to know about Hyde-Smith’s husband, Michael:

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1. Smith & Hyde-Smith Met on a Blind Date

According to The Washington Post, Hyde-Smith met her future husband when a customer at her mother’s beauty shop set them up on a blind date. Hyde-Smith’s mother was a hairdresser and her father was a trucker.

It’s unclear where Smith went to college, if he went at all. But Hyde-Smith did attend the University of Southern Mississippi, and obtained degrees in criminal justice and political science.

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2. Smith & Hyde-Smith Live on a Cattle Farm in Brookhaven, Mississippi, Which Has Been in Smith’s Family For Generations

Smith appears to run his family’s cattle farm in Brookhaven, Mississippi, a family trade that includes a livestock auction and has run in his family for generations. The Smith family lives on the farm full-time.

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3. The Couple Have One Child, Anna Michael, Who’s Currently Enrolled at Mississippi State

Hyde-Smith gave birth to her and her husband’s only child, Anna Michael, at 39 years old. She said of her decision to have a child later in life, “At 39 years old, I knew I wanted a child. My husband and I decided that I would quit my job, have a baby and run for the state Senate. We did all of that in one year.”

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4. Both Smith & Hyde-Smith Are Baptists, & Attend Church Regularly

Both Smith and Hyde-Smith are extremely religious, and attend a baptist church regularly, called Macedonia Baptist Church. Anna Michael said that when Hyde-Smith was considering her Senate run, the family was constantly “talking to God.”

She said, “We’ve prayed more than you can imagine — down at the heart of our home, at church, we prayed a few times before we came here.”

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5. In His Free Time, Smith Works as a Deacon & Sunday School Director

In addition to his work on his cattle farm, Smith works as a Deacon and Sunday School director for their church.