Mississippi Senate Race Uncalled, Colom Leads by 28

Democrat Scott Colom edged ahead of Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith by 28 votes in Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race, with unofficial returns showing 462,779 votes for Colom and 462,751 for Hyde-Smith as counting continued and the race remained uncalled. Colom gained ground as late results arrived from Hinds County and several majority-Black counties, while Hyde-Smith had led for much of election night; independent candidate Ty Pinkins received about 2.1% of the vote. If Colom’s lead holds, he would become the first Democrat elected to Mississippi’s U.S. Senate seat since 1982. The campaigns had sought to energize voters with contrasting appeals: Hyde-Smith emphasized conservative values and Republican control in Washington, while Colom campaigned on issues including wages, family costs, hospitals and jobs. Mississippi has no automatic recount for a close result, though a campaign may seek judicial intervention under certain circumstances.