Colom Wins Mississippi Seat, Expanding Democratic Senate Control

Democrat Scott Colom defeated Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith to become the first Black U.S. senator from Mississippi since 1881. The Associated Press called the race Wednesday after local election officials finished processing thousands of absentee and provisional ballots more than a week following the midterm election. With 99 percent of votes tallied, Colom held a lead of fewer than 5,000 votes.

The victory marks a shift in party control for the state, which has not been represented by a Democrat in the Senate in nearly 40 years. John C. Stennis, a segregationist, held the seat until his retirement in 1889. Colom's win also expands the Democratic majority in the Senate, which now stands at 55 to 44. Eight seats changed hands in this cycle, while the contest in Alaska remains uncalled.

Colom addressed supporters at a victory party held at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, on Wednesday night. He acknowledged the difficulty of the campaign, telling the crowd that he kept the faith even when he felt tired and unable to continue. He said he had the courage to believe in Mississippi and to show the country that the state matters.

Hyde-Smith, an ally of President Donald Trump, conceded the race in a video released Wednesday night. She had been running for her second full term after initially being appointed to fill a vacancy and winning a special election in 2018. Hyde-Smith stated that while the result was not what she hoped for, she respected the decision of Mississippi voters. She congratulated Colom and wished him well as he took on the responsibility of representing the state.

The election increases the number of Black members of the Senate. Only 14 Black senators have been elected or appointed in U.S. history. When the 120th Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3, seven Black senators will serve in the chamber.