But in the wake of the miscues and scandals engulfing Hyde-Smith’s campaign, an emboldened national Democratic network mobilized behind Espy, buttressing his long-shot bid with support from national party leaders and resources in the final stretch.

\"PHOTO:
Jeff Amy/AP
PHOTO: Sen. Kamala Harris, a California Democrat and possible 2020 presidential candidate, listens along with Mississippi Democratic Senate candidate Mike Espy during an event, Nov. 17, 2018 in Jackson, Miss.
>

The unexpected shift in tenor of the race in favor of the former agriculture secretary is being boosted by potential 2020 contenders such as Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. They have been traveling to the state to stump with Espy — who hopes to deliver a potential upset similar to Alabama Sen. Doug Jones' seismic victory over Republican Roy Moore.

A loss for Republicans would mean only a one-seat gain for the GOP from the current razor-thin margin that, at times, seemed to hamper their agenda prior to the midterm elections.

In the new Congress, after Democrats flipped nearly 40 seats and gained a comfortable majority in the House, a win in Mississippi is the ending Trump needs to halt Democrats' momentum before his name is back on the ballot in 2020.

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