Democrat Scott Colom wins Mississippi Senate seat

Colom defeats Hyde-Smith in tight race

Democrat Scott Colom has defeated Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in one of the tightest races of the 2026 midterms. The Associated Press called the race on Wednesday, more than a week after Election Day.

Historic victory for Mississippi

Colom, a district attorney for Mississippi's sixteenth Judicial District, becomes the first Black Senator elected in the state since eighteen seventy-four and the first Democratic Senator elected there since nineteen eighty-two.

Democrats flip eighth Republican seat

Colom's victory marks the eighth Republican-held Senate seat Democrats have flipped in this year's midterms, securing a majority of at least fifty-five seats, including independents who caucus with the party.

Razor-thin margin of victory

Colom had forty-nine point two percent of the vote to Hyde-Smith's forty-eight point seven percent, with an estimated ninety-nine percent of ballots counted. Mississippi law provides for neither automatic nor candidate-requested recounts.

Hyde-Smith concedes the race

Hyde-Smith said in a two-minute concession speech, "While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters."

“While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters.”

Campaign focused on prices and ideology

Colom criticized Hyde-Smith for comments brushing off concerns about rising beef prices, calling her Cindy High Prices. Hyde-Smith attacked Colom over gender-affirming care and called him the most radical liberal to run in Mississippi.

Colom's unorthodox campaign strategy

In an unorthodox strategy, Colom attended Trump's rally in Mississippi to talk to voters about key issues and later said he had converted some of those he spoke to.

Policy divides on abortion and war

Hyde-Smith, who chairs the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, accused Colom of supporting abortion rights.On the war in Iran, Colom opposed the conflict and its effect on costs, while Hyde-Smith said it was necessary for national security.

History between the candidates

In twenty twenty-three, Hyde-Smith blocked Colom from a federal judgeship after he was tapped for the position by President Joe Biden, citing Colom's support for transgender rights among other issues.