Scott Colom wins Mississippi Senate election over incumbent Republican Hyde-Smith
Colom becomes first Black senator from Mississippi since Reconstruction Era
Quick Look
- Democratic nominee Scott Colom defeated Republican incumbent Sen.
- Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi's Senate election, becoming the state's first Black senator since Reconstruction.
- The victory gives Democrats at least 55 Senate seats and control of the House, with Alaska's race still uncalled.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Scott Colom, a local district attorney, won the Mississippi Senate election over Republican incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. His projected victory was not considered likely by national analysts before Election Day. Democrats now have a majority of at least 55 seats in the Senate, having flipped at least eight seats from Republicans. Alaska is the only remaining Senate election to be called.
Democratic nominee Scott Colom won the Mississippi Senate election over Republican incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Colom, a local district attorney, will be the first Black senator from Mississippi since the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era.
His projected victory — which was not considered likely by national analysts before Election Day — is the latest in a series of stunning wins by Democrats this midterm cycle.
Two sources close to Colom's campaign said Hyde-Smith called him late Wednesday afternoon to concede.
"While this is not the outcome we worked for, or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters," Hyde-Smith said in a video posted on X.
"I want to congratulate Scott Colom and wish him well as he takes on the tremendous responsibility of representing our great state," Hyde-Smith said.
Democrats now will have a majority of at least 55 seats in the Senate, having flipped at least eight seats from Republicans.
Alaska is the only remaining Senate election to be called. In that state, Democratic nominee Mary Peltola, a former House member, has a narrow lead over Sen. Dan Sullivan, the Republican incumbent.
"Blue Mississippi is here," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a post on X.
"Scott Colom is the only person who could've gotten this done. I knew it from the moment I met him," Schumer wrote.
In addition to the Senate, Democrats have won more than enough seats to take control of the House of Representatives when the next Congress begins in January.
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Alaska Senate race between Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan will be called soon.
Likely · Within days
Democrats will control the House of Representatives when the next Congress begins in January.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- When will the Alaska Senate race between Mary Peltola and Dan Sullivan be called?
- What specific policies or priorities will Scott Colom pursue as senator?
- How will the Democratic Senate majority affect legislation in the next Congress?
