Scott Colom, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Mississippi, has taken a lead of over 1,700 votes against Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith, with the race too close to call. With more than 95% of votes counted, Mississippi is the only state besides Alaska where the Senate race remains undecided. The shift in a deep-red state—where President Trump won by 23 points in 2024—has stunned observers.
A viral 30-second ad mocking Hyde-Smith’s comment on beef prices helped propel Colom’s campaign. The ad, which highlights affordability, resonated with voters and drew national attention. Following its release, Democratic super PACs injected $2.2 million into the race, while the Senate Democrats’ campaign arm added $500,000.
High-profile figures including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Raphael Warnock campaigned for Colom. Meanwhile, Republican groups and Donald Trump himself rallied behind Hyde-Smith. Colom, a Black prosecutor, drew strong support from Mississippi’s Black population—37% of the state—and also appealed to some white and Republican voters.
He attended a Trump rally to engage directly with voters, focusing on issues like grocery prices, ending wars, and releasing the Epstein files. With mailed and provisional ballots still being accepted until next Tuesday, the final result may take days to determine. Counties must certify results by Nov. 13.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing