A look at Mississippi election facility as the race leans Democratic
The Senate midterm race in deep-red Mississippi is leaning toward Democrat Scott Colom as 99% of the vote is in. Colom is in the lead against Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith, but the clock is on to get those votes counted by Friday. Mark Strassmann reports, and Bruce Mehlman, a founding partner of Mehlman Consulting, has more details on midterm voting turnout.
Mississippi's Senate race saw Democrat Scott Colom claim a surprising victory over incumbent GOP Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, according to CBS News projections. The outcome marks the eighth Senate seat flipped to Democrats, following wins in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, and Maine. Colom, a 43-year-old district attorney and seventh-generation Mississippian, campaigned on issues like the cost of living and healthcare, pledging to deliver for the Magnolia State, while criticizing Hyde-Smith's performance.
The race became fiercely competitive, with national Democrats investing in advertising for the first time in the deep-red state. Hyde-Smith, 67, has served in the Senate since 2018 and was the first woman elected to represent Mississippi in Congress. Despite President Trump's strong showing in the state in 2024 and Democrats' lack of success in the Senate since 1982, Colom's lead grew in the days following Election Day, ultimately securing a win that bolsters Democrats' majority in the Senate, which is projected at 55 to 44 Republicans as of January.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 6 other outlets
- Democrat Scott Colom wins Mississippi Senate race in upset cbsnews.com
- Colom extends slim lead over Hyde-Smith in Mississippi Senate race thehill.com
- History made as black Democrat wins Senate race in deep red Mississippi theage.com.au
- History made as black Democrat wins Senate race in deep red Mississippi smh.com.au
- Democrat Scott Colom wins election to U.S. Senate from Mississippi winnipegfreepress.com
- Democrat Scott Colom projected to win Mississippi Senate election over incumbent Hyde-Smith cnbc.com
