Colom Defeats Hyde-Smith in Mississippi Senate Race

Democrat Scott Colom narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race, winning about 49.2% of the vote to her 48.7%, a margin of roughly 4,600 votes after more than a week of counting. Hyde-Smith conceded, but the result awaits state certification. Colom becomes Mississippi’s first Black U.S. senator since Reconstruction and its first Democratic Senate winner since 1982. His victory adds to Democrats’ midterm gains; the precise balance of power remained uncertain as other races were unresolved. In a state Donald Trump carried by about 23 points in 2024, Colom built support through grassroots outreach and gains in counties that had backed Trump. His campaign emphasized affordability and health care, while Hyde-Smith faced criticism over remarks about high beef prices; strong Black voter participation and broader economic dissatisfaction also shaped the result.