Colom wins Mississippi seat by under 5,000 votes

Democrat Scott Colom defeated Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith to win the U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi. The Associated Press called the race on Wednesday. Colom held a lead of fewer than 5,000 votes with 99% of the total counted.

Local election officials processed thousands of absentee and provisional ballots. This work took place more than a week after the midterm elections. The final tally confirmed Colom’s victory in the state.

Colom addressed supporters at his victory party in Jackson, Mississippi. The event was held at Tougaloo College on Wednesday night. He told the crowd that he kept the faith during difficult moments in the campaign.

Hyde-Smith conceded the race in a video released on Wednesday night. She said she respected the decision of Mississippi voters. She wished Colom well as he takes on the responsibility of representing the state.

Colom becomes Mississippi’s first Black U.S. senator since 1881. He is also the first Democrat to hold the seat in nearly 40 years. The previous Democrat, John C. Stennis, retired in 1989. This win adds to the Democratic majority in the Senate, which now stands at 55-44 with eight seats flipped. The Senate race in Alaska remains uncalled.

Only 14 Black senators have ever been elected or appointed in the United States. When the 120th Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3, seven Black senators will be serving. Hyde-Smith had served since being appointed to fill a vacancy and later won a special election in 2018.