From ABC News · ABC News · · 2m
Democrat Colom flips Mississippi Senate seat
Scott Colom defeats Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi, becoming the state's first Black senator since Reconstruction.
In brief
Scott Colom defeats Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi, becoming the state's first Black senator since Reconstruction. Democrat Scott Colom won Mississippi's Senate seat, flipping a Republican seat and becoming the state's first Black senator elected since the eighteen seventies. Originally reported…
Colom defeats Hyde-Smith in Mississippi
Democrat Scott Colom has upset Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi's Senate race, flipping a Republican seat in a ruby-red state.
The race was extremely close
With ninety-nine percent of the expected vote reported, Colom leads with forty-nine point two percent, and Hyde-Smith has forty-eight point seven percent, leading by about four thousand seven hundred votes.
Eighth Democratic pickup nationally
Colom's win is the eighth Democratic pickup in the Senate, with the race in Alaska yet to be decided.
Colom's background and historic significance
Colom is a district attorney for four counties along the Mississippi-Alabama state line and a former nominee to become a U.S.district judge.He is Mississippi's first Black U.S.senator elected since Reconstruction in the eighteen seventies.
Colom ties victory to Mississippi history
Speaking to supporters in Jackson on Wednesday night, Colom referenced Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first Black U.S. senator in American history, and civil rights leader Medgar Evers, both from Mississippi.
Colom's pledge to all Mississippians
Colom pledged to work for all of the state's residents, saying God wanted them to get it the Mississippi way, referencing the hard work his campaign required.
“God didn't want us to get it the easy way. He wanted us to get it ... the Mississippi way.”
Hyde-Smith concedes and congratulates Colom
Hyde-Smith called Colom to concede and posted a video saying she respects Mississippi voters' decision and congratulates Colom on his win.
“While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters.”
Campaign built momentum in final months
Colom's campaign was initially seen as a long shot but built buzz in recent months, appearing with former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Colom says voters wanted change
Colom told ABC News his campaign lacked attention and resources outside Mississippi until a month ago.
“The voters were betrayed. That gave us an opportunity to compete everywhere.”
The main idea
Democrat Scott Colom won Mississippi's Senate seat, flipping a Republican seat and becoming the state's first Black senator elected since the eighteen seventies.
