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Colom Edges Out Hyde-Smith in Mississippi Senate Race

8:14 PM ETConfirmedShare via:          

Politics Desk

In Short: Colom’s victory is a surprise win for Democrats, who have not won a Senate seat in Mississippi since 1982.

Mississippi democratic candidate Scott Colom on tight senate race.

BREAKING: Scott Colom defeats Cindy Hyde-Smith in nail-biter Mississippi Senate race. The Hill

With 99% of the expected vote counted, Democrat Scott Colom leads Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith by about 4,700 votes, securing a lead of 49.2% to 48.7%.

Colom, a prosecutor and seventh-generation Mississippian, will become the state’s first Black senator in more than 140 years.

Colom's campaign received support from high-profile Democrats like former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who campaigned with him in the weeks leading up to the election.

Hyde-Smith conceded the race to Colom, who had previously blocked her nomination for federal judge in 2023 but has since forgiven her.

Colom expressed confidence in his victory, telling reporters in Jackson, Mississippi, that he is “confident” he will win the race.

Despite a close race, Colom’s lead was confirmed by the Associated Press at 5:58 p.m., with Colom leading by 49.2%.

Hyde-Smith acknowledged the result, stating, “While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters.”

Colom’s victory marks a significant boost for the Democratic Party, which has struggled to gain a foothold in the South.

Colom’s campaign strategy included a Senate Majority PAC ad campaign that presented him as a crusader against corruption in both parties.

Colom’s win is a historic moment for Mississippi, as he will be the state’s first Black senator in over 140 years.

Colom’s campaign faced a tight race, with Hyde-Smith leading by just 43 votes out of nearly 1 million cast after midnight.

Colom’s campaign prepared for the moment, with Colom stating, “We prepared for this moment.”

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Senate candidate Scott Colom said he wanted to hear from the Mississippians attending Trump’s rally on Monday with Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.
• 26, 2026, en route to a campaign rally in Mississippi.
• “I'm here because Cindy’s doing great, but I just got to make sure. I can’t take a chance,” Trump told the crowd, his voice audibly hoarse, as he worked to boost Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who is facing a surprisingly stiff challenge from Democrat Scott Colom.

What's still developing

• Mississippi voted blue, in a shock win for Democrats.
• Jones reported yesterday, saying that Colom is the first Democrat elected from Mississippi since 1982 is inadequate and misleading since that last Democrat was John C.
• When asked about Hyde-Smith’s comments, Colom responded with “bless her heart.” Despite calls from some Democratic supporters to step aside, Independent candidate Ty Pinkins decided to stay in the race.
• "We prepared for this moment," Colom told Hearst sister station WAPT in Mississippi.
• Colom is trying to pull off an upset bid against Hyde-Smith.
• Colom was spotted at the rally site, too, creating the rare spectacle of Trump’s staunchest supporters interacting directly with a figure the president would soon go on to denigrate as a “Marxist radical” and “fake” and “shameless phony who pretends to be a moderate” from the stage.

Sources

• ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videoslink
• Al Jazeeralink
• CBS Newslink
• NBC Newslink
• Politicolink
• Talkingpointsmemolink
• Washingtonexaminerlink
• Tribuneledgernewslink
• Mississippifreepresslink
• Wloxlink
• Waptlink
• Kcralink
• Democracydocketlink
• Ottumwacourierlink
• Timescalllink
• WarpBeat — background on Mississippi Senate Race Tight as Third-Place Candidate Hopes Democrat Wins link
• The Hill — video link
• WJTV 12 News — video link
• MS NOW — video link
• Queen City News — video link
• Roland S. Martin — video link
• It’s Val — video link