- Scott Colom wins the nail-biter race, becoming the state's first Democratic senator-elect since 1982, with 49.1% of the vote to Hyde-Smith's 48.8%, and 98% of ballots counted.
- The Mississippi Senate race remained too close to call for days, with a razor-thin margin as low as 0.1% with more than 95% of votes counted.
- Both candidates expressed confidence in winning, with Colom stating he was 'confident we will ultimately flip this seat' and Hyde-Smith assuring constituents she would continue as U.S. Senator.
- Colom’s victory marks the eighth Republican-held Senate seat Democrats have flipped in this year’s midterms, securing a majority of at least 55 seats, but they remain short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.
- The campaign was marked by name-calling: Colom called Hyde-Smith a for refusing to debate, while Hyde-Smith’s campaign called Colom so out of touch with Mississippi that he advocates for sex change surgeries for children, referencing his stance on gender-affirming care.
- Hyde-Smith labeled Colom the most radical liberal and a , while Colom nicknamed her Cindy High Prices. Colom in 2021 signed a letter opposing the criminalization of transgender people and gender-affirming care, but opposes gender-affirming surgeries for minors.
- Colom’s campaign focused on lowering consumer prices, criticizing Hyde-Smith for her February interview where she said there were so many proteins to choose from regarding rising beef prices.
Scott Colom has emerged victorious in a nail-biter Senate race against incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, securing 49.1% of the vote to Hyde-Smith's 48.8%. This victory marks the first Democratic Senate seat in Mississippi since 1982 and the first Black Senator elected since 1874.1
Colom's win is significant as it flips the eighth Republican-held seat for Democrats in the midterms, bringing their total to at least 55 seats, including independents. However, they remain short of the 60 votes typically needed to overcome a filibuster.4
The race was extremely close, with the candidates separated by a margin as narrow as 0.1% at times. Colom expressed confidence leading up to the election, stating, “I am confident we will ultimately flip this seat,” while Hyde-Smith assured her constituents, “I assure you, I will continue to be your U.S. Senator.”23
The campaign was marked by sharp exchanges, with Colom criticizing Hyde-Smith for her comments on rising food prices, suggesting voters should “pick another senator.” Hyde-Smith labeled Colom as “the most radical liberal” to run in Mississippi, while Colom referred to her as “Cindy High Prices.”6
Despite the victory, the Democrats face challenges ahead, as they will need to navigate legislative hurdles without a filibuster-proof majority.
“Colom's margin was razor-thin at 49.1% to Hyde-Smith's 48.8% with 98% of ballots counted, and Mississippi law allows no automatic recounts. The win gives Democrats at least 55 seats, but they remain short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.”
