Mississippi Senate: Democrat takes seat after count

Democrat Scott Colom has taken the Mississippi Senate seat held by Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith.

The Associated Press called the race on Wednesday with 99% of ballots counted. Colom led by fewer than 5,000 votes. Local election officials had spent more than a week processing thousands of absentee and provisional ballots after the midterm election. This delay pushed the final decision past the initial November 3 vote.

Colom is the first Black U.S. senator from Mississippi since 1881. He is also the first Democrat to represent the state in the Senate in nearly four decades. John C. Stennis, the last Democrat to hold the seat, retired in 1989. His victory increases the Democratic majority in the Senate to 55-44. The Alaska race remains uncalled.

Hyde-Smith, a Trump ally, sought her second full term. She was initially appointed to the seat and won a special election in 2018. She conceded via video on Wednesday night. “While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters,” she said. She wished Colom well as he assumes the role.

Colom spoke to supporters at his victory party at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, on Wednesday night. “There were times when I was tired and I felt like I couldn’t keep going, but I kept the faith,” he said. He added, “I had the courage to believe in Mississippi. I had the courage to understand that we can show the country that Mississippi matters.”

Only 14 Black senators have served in U.S. history. When the 120th Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3, seven Black senators will be in office.