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Democrat Scott Colom defeated Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi’s U.S. Senate contest after extended counting of absentee and provisional ballots, according to projections from CNN, the Associated Press and PBS News. The race, which remained too close to call on election night, saw Colom build an insurmountable lead of roughly 4,600 votes once tallies from Hinds County and other jurisdictions were completed. Bloomberg reported that the outcome adds one more seat to the Democratic majority, which now stands at 55 ahead of the new Congress.
Colom, a 43-year-old district attorney, will be Mississippi’s first Black senator since Blanche K. Bruce left office in 1881, USA Today noted. He is also the first Democrat elected to represent the state in the Senate since 1982, a period during which the seat has been held continuously by Republicans. PBS News highlighted that previous Black senators from Mississippi during Reconstruction were chosen by the legislature rather than by popular vote, making Colom’s direct election by voters a distinct milestone.
The victory reflected strong Black voter turnout in a state where African Americans comprise nearly 40 percent of the population, according to multiple outlets including NPR and Democracy Docket. Colom centered his campaign on economic discontent and rising living costs, labeling his opponent “Cindy High-Prices” in a strategy that resonated beyond traditional Democratic strongholds. Bloomberg data showed President Donald Trump carried Mississippi by more than 22 percentage points in 2024, yet Colom still prevailed in the deeply conservative state.
Hyde-Smith had blocked Colom’s 2022 nomination to a federal judgeship while he served as district attorney, a fact USA Today said motivated his decision to challenge her for the Senate seat. The incumbent had previously won a 2018 special election and a full term in 2020, both times against the same Democratic opponent. Colom’s campaign benefited from a late advertising push and grassroots organizing that boosted participation in urban and rural Black communities alike.
Hyde-Smith conceded the race on November 11 in a video statement, saying, “While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters.” She congratulated Colom and wished him well in his new role, according to reports from WAPT and the Democracy Docket. The senator had been favored by forecasters including the Cook Political Report heading into the final weeks, yet provisional and affidavit ballots shifted the balance decisively toward the challenger.
The result forms part of a broader pattern of Democratic gains in Southern and Midwestern states during the 2026 midterms, PBS News reported. Democrats flipped at least eight Republican-held Senate seats nationwide, capitalizing on voter concerns over the economy and other issues. NPR noted that Colom’s success underscores the potential for targeted turnout efforts to overcome longstanding partisan trends in the region.
Colom told supporters earlier in the week that his win would open doors for future generations, stating, “For me, it’s my job to make sure I make it easier for the next Black boy or girl that has the work ethic, the vision, the values to do public service if they want to be a United States senator.” The candidate is expected to be sworn in when the new Congress convenes in January, with certification of Mississippi’s results due by Friday.
