Democrat Scott Colom wins Mississippi Senate seat after close count
A narrow result ends a long Republican run in the state, with Democrats gaining ground across the country in the 2026 midterms.
Key points
- Scott Colom, a Democrat, defeated incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith in the Mississippi Senate race.
- The Associated Press called the race on Wednesday, more than a week after election day.
- Colom won 49.2% of the vote, Hyde-Smith 48.7%, and an independent 2.1%, according to CBS figures.
- Republicans had won every Senate contest in Mississippi since 1982 until this result.
- The Democratic majority is expected to reach 55 seats, with an Alaska race still pending.
Democrat Scott Colom has claimed a Senate seat in Mississippi by beating the Republican incumbent, according to reports from the BBC and The Guardian. The outcome surprised many observers in a state that has leaned heavily toward Republicans for years. The Associated Press called the contest on Wednesday, after absentee and provisional ballots confirmed his growing lead.
The contest was decided by a very small gap. Colom finished only a few thousand ballots ahead of Cindy Hyde-Smith, who had held the seat. Election officials kept tallying every eligible ballot that reached them before the cutoff, which pushed the outcome back by more than a week. Figures cited by CBS gave Colom 49.2%, Hyde-Smith 48.7% and an independent candidate 2.1%.
Read also: Democrat Colom narrowly leads in tight Mississippi Senate race
Concession and reaction
Hyde-Smith released a concession video on X on Wednesday evening. In it she accepted the choice of voters and offered her good wishes to Colom as he prepares for the job. At the NAACP headquarters in Jackson, where supporters had gathered, the announcement brought loud cheers and applause.
Leon Russell, who chairs the NAACP board, credited Black voters for the win and said the campaign ran on organising rather than money. Amber Thomas, also at the gathering, described her joy at the result.
A historic first
Colom is the first Black man chosen by popular vote for a Senate seat from Mississippi. The Guardian noted that the last Black senator from the state arrived in Washington in 1875, when state lawmakers, not voters, picked senators. Voters in the state had not chosen a Democrat for this chamber in over four decades.
Colom built his profile as a local prosecutor. In 2015 he won the district attorney post for the 16th circuit, becoming the first Black official in that role and ousting a nearly 30-year incumbent. He reported a 94% conviction rate during his time in the post. Earlier, Joe Biden had put him forward for a federal judgeship, but Hyde-Smith prevented a confirmation hearing from taking place.
Wider midterm picture
The Mississippi result belongs to a broader trend in the 2026 midterms. Democrats captured both the House and the Senate, and also flipped seats in traditionally Republican areas such as Texas, South Carolina and Kansas. Exit polls linked voter anger to economic strain, which many blamed on tariffs and the conflict with Iran.
With Colom’s seat included, Democrats are set to command a minimum of 55 places in the chamber. The Guardian described this as the biggest midterm gain for the party since 1986. An Alaska race remains uncalled.
Campaign tactics
Colom toured all 82 counties in the state and attended a Trump rally in Corinth to speak with attendees about rising costs. He said they discussed fuel prices, groceries and healthcare coverage. His team also produced a widely shared advertisement that turned a remark by Hyde-Smith about beef into a point of attack.
Hyde-Smith’s team portrayed Colom as a puppet of the billionaire donor George Soros, whose family has backed Democratic campaigns. Critics noted the Republican had made few public appearances during the contest.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Mississippi Senate race?
Democrat Scott Colom won, defeating incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith. According to CBS figures cited by the BBC, he received 49.2% of the vote to her 48.7%.
Why did the result take so long?
The race was very close, so local officials counted every ballot that reached them before the deadline. The Associated Press called the contest on Wednesday, more than a week after election day.
What does the result mean for the Senate?
According to the BBC, the Democratic majority will stand at 55 seats, with one Alaska race still awaiting a call.
Sources
- BBC News: Democrat Scott Colom seals historic win in Mississippi Senate race
- The Guardian: Democrat Scott Colom unseats Cindy Hyde-Smith in stunning Mississippi Senate win
This article was written with the help of AI from reports by the outlets listed above. See our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
