Scott Colom Wins Mississippi Senate Race to Become the First Black Senator From the State in 145 Years

Democrat Scott Colom won the U.S. Senate race in Mississippi. The Associated Press called the race for Colom at 5:58 p.m. on Wednesday, and Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith conceded soon after.

Colom will become the first Black U.S. senator from Mississippi since Blanche K. Bruce left office in 1881, 145 years ago. He is the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Mississippi since 1982.

The margin was narrow. In unofficial totals, Colom received 473,336 votes (49.19 percent) and Hyde-Smith received 468,667 votes (48.71 percent), a difference of 4,669 votes. Counting continued for more than a week after the Nov. 3 election as absentee and provisional ballots were tallied.

Colom, 43, saw his nomination to become a federal judge blocked in April 2023 when Hyde-Smith withheld a blue slip.

Colom’s victory expands the Democratic majority in the new Congress to 55 seats. The Senate race in Alaska is still undecided.

Certification is not complete. Mississippi counties must submit certified results to the state by Nov. 13.