Democrat Scott Colom defeats Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi; Hyde-Smith concedes

Democrat Scott Colom has defeated Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi's US Senate race. The Associated Press projected Colom the winner on Wednesday. The call came after more than a week of counting, including absentee and provisional (affidavit) ballots.

Hyde-Smith conceded in a video posted on social media. A spokesperson confirmed she had called Colom to concede.

The margin was narrow. The Guardian put Colom's lead at 4,669 votes when the AP made its call. DW reported a lead of more than 4,500 votes, or 0.5 percentage points. Mississippi has no law mandating an automatic recount.

Colom, 43, is a local prosecutor. He becomes Mississippi's first Black US senator since the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. The previous one, Blanche K. Bruce, was chosen by the state legislature, not by popular vote. Mississippi had not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1982.

Democrats now hold 55 Senate seats. The Alaska race was undecided at the time of the reports. Democrats won both the House and the Senate in the 3 November midterm elections. Donald Trump won Mississippi by about 22 to 23 points in 2024.

According to CBS figures cited by the BBC, Colom won 49.2% of the vote, Hyde-Smith 48.7% and an independent candidate 2.1%. DW reported that Colom at times led by only a few dozen votes. The reports do not include certified official results.

Then-President Joe Biden had nominated Colom for a federal judgeship. Hyde-Smith blocked the nomination. Mississippi's other senator, Republican Roger Wicker, supported it.

What is disputed

Outlets give different reference dates for the previous Black senator. The SCMP says "since 1874". The Guardian says since 1881, when Bruce's term ended. The BBC and Al Jazeera say "more than 140 years". These figures may refer to different milestones.

What each side says

In her video, Hyde-Smith said: "I respect the decision of Mississippi voters." The Guardian quoted her as adding: "I want to congratulate Scott Colom and wish him well." According to DW and Al Jazeera, she said she blocked his judicial nomination over concerns about his position on transgender issues. According to the BBC, her campaign called Colom a puppet of donor George Soros, whose family has helped fund his campaigns.

Colom said he would represent all Mississippians, according to the Guardian, DW and France 24. Al Jazeera quoted him as telling reporters during the count: "Where is Cindy Hyde-Smith?" The reports do not include a statement from Colom after the call.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X: "Blue Mississippi is here."

Analysis

The result shows that a state with a strong Republican lean in 2024 can produce a close Senate race under some conditions. Reports point to several possible factors: the economy, candidate profiles, campaign ads and late national spending. The reports do not show which factor mattered most. The narrow margin and the lack of certified results leave some uncertainty. However, Hyde-Smith's concession reduces the likelihood of a prolonged dispute. Whether the result reflects a lasting shift or a single-election swing is not yet clear. The outcome in Alaska will settle the final Senate balance.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.

Transparency note: objections from our AI reviewers

Objections raised before publication:

• Tribunal: Loaded term: "puppet"
• Vocemundi automatic checks: Tribunal: needs correction

No reviewer declined to review it.

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