Colom's DA campaign keeps Mississippi Senate race within reach
Democrat Scott Colom trails incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith by a narrow margin as the state's final tally remains unresolved.
By Lauren Foster ·
By early Thursday morning, Democrat Scott Colom led Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith by just over 1,100 votes in the Mississippi Senate race. The margin was even tighter earlier in the day. With approximately 96% of the vote counted, the two candidates were separated by only a few dozen ballots.
Hyde-Smith, 67, has served in the U.S. Senate since 2018. Colom, 43, is a district attorney and a seventh-generation Mississippian. He campaigned on cost of living and health care concerns. Democrats invested in the contest during the weeks leading up to the election, viewing it as a potential pickup.
The race was considered unlikely to be competitive before Election Day. President Trump won Mississippi by 20 points in 2024. The state has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1982. Nevertheless, Colom mounted a close challenge that kept the result in doubt.
Colom addressed supporters in the early hours of Wednesday. He stated, "The results are all trending in our direction." He added, "We are trending in counties that people thought we had no chance to compete in. And we're winning them."
Democrats secured wins in other Senate races Tuesday night. They gained more than four GOP-held seats. This gave them enough members to control the chamber in the new year. If Colom wins, he would increase that majority.
The unresolved Mississippi vote leaves the size of the Democratic majority uncertain. The Alaska Senate race is also outstanding, further complicating the final seat count.
