Democrat Scott Colom becomes Mississippi's first Black senator since 1874
Democrat Scott Colom has defeated Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi, becoming the state's first Black senator since the Reconstruction era. The victory contributes to the Democratic party's overall gains in the recent midterm elections.
Why it matters
This result marks a historic shift in Mississippi's political landscape and reflects broader changes in the US legislative balance of power.
Democrat Scott Colom has defeated Republican incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi's closely contested US Senate race, becoming the state's first Black senator since the Reconstruction era following the US Civil War.Colom, a 43-year-old district attorney, secured the narrow victory after several days of ballot counting in one of the last outstanding races from Tuesday's midterm elections. US media projected his victory on Wednesday.The result marks a significant political shift in Mississippi, a state that has long been dominated by white conservatives. It also adds to the Democrats' gains in the midterm elections, in which the party won control of both chambers of Congress.Hyde-Smith, 67, who was first elected in 2018, had consistently led in opinion polls in a state that President Donald Trump won by nearly 23 percentage points in 2024.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Democrat Scott Colom wins Mississippi Senate race
How Scott Colom defied Democratic doubters to make Mississippi a battleground
In Mississippi, voters await cliffhanger Senate result with hope and frustration
Mississippi Senate: Scott Colom extends tight lead over Hyde-Smith as ballot deadlines hit - CNBC
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in