From RFI · · 1m 50s
Mississippi elects first black senator since Reconstruction
Democrat Scott Colom defeats Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith in a closely contested race, marking a historic shift in a state long dominated by white conservative governance.
In brief
Democrat Scott Colom defeats Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith in a closely contested race, marking a historic shift in a state long dominated by white conservative governance. Scott Colom won Mississippi's Senate race, becoming the state's first black senator since the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and signalling a…
Democrat wins Mississippi Senate seat
Scott Colom defeated Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith on Wednesday in Mississippi's closely contested United States Senate race after a prolonged ballot counting process.
First black senator since Reconstruction
Colom's victory gives Mississippi its first black senator since the post-Civil War Reconstruction period, a historic shift in a state dominated by white conservative governance for generations.
Largest black population share
Mississippi has the largest black population share of any US state, yet has been governed by white conservatives for generations until Colom's election.
Part of Trump midterm rebuke
Colom's narrow victory adds to a decisive midterm rebuke of President Donald Trump, whose party suffered defeats in several Republican-controlled states.
Democrats' Southern strategy
The result strengthens the argument among some Democrats that their party's future runs through the American South.
Colom's campaign message
The forty-three-year-old local prosecutor capitalised on Mississippi's large black population, discontent over the economy, and Hyde-Smith's missteps seeking a second full term.
Colom's victory speech
At Tougaloo College, Colom told supporters he had the courage to imagine the night and to believe in Mississippi, saying the state matters to the country.
“All I did was have the courage to imagine a night like this. I had the courage to believe in Mississippi.”
Hyde-Smith concedes defeat
Cindy Hyde-Smith, sixty-seven, called Colom late Wednesday afternoon to concede and released a concession speech online shortly afterwards.
“While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters.”
Colom pledges unity
Colom said he would represent all of Mississippi and repeated his pledge after victory, committing to treat every Mississippian's life better regardless of background.
“My commitment to you, each and every one of you, is that first I'm going to treat your children as I want my children to be treated.”
The key point
Scott Colom won Mississippi's Senate race, becoming the state's first black senator since the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and signalling a Democratic gain in Trump's midterm rebuke.
