Mississippi Democrat flips US Senate seat in stunning upset after 140 years

In a historic upset, Democrat Scott Colom triumphed in Mississippi's US Senate race, networks declared on Wednesday. This marks the first time an African American has been elected to the Senate from the southern state in over 140 years. Colom, a 43-year-old district attorney, bested Republican incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, marking one of the most remarkable seat flips during an already extraordinary US midterm election, where Democrats reclaimed the majority in both chambers of Congress from Republicans.

Speaking in a prayerful and solemn address, Colom lauded Mississippi's rich tradition of Black activism and faith in progress. He recalled the words of Hiram Revels, the first Black senator ever elected, who inspired others to support Colom's campaign through his powerful oratory. Colom's victory in the Deep South adds to the significant rebuke of President Donald Trump, as voters across the country shunned the GOP, even in states where Democrats had not held a seat in decades.

This result left Trump feeling humiliated as a Democratic wave swept through the Republican heartland, rendering him a lame duck president for the remainder of his term. The Democratic takeover of Congress signals an end to Trump's grip on US politics, empowering Democrats to block legislation, investigate his administration, and thwart his appointments.

Since Colom's win, Democrats now hold 55 of the 100 seats in the Senate, with 44 for Republicans and one race still undecided in Alaska. The midterms marked a historic turnaround for Democrats, who flipped eight Senate seats previously held by Republicans, with several states that had remained Republican-dominated for decades. After conceding the race, Hyde-Smith praised the decision of Mississippi voters and wished Colom well in his new role.

The race in Mississippi remained extremely close, with CNN projecting Colom to win by 49% to 48.7%, capturing 4,585 more votes than his opponent. Schumer hailed Colom as the only person capable of securing this historic win, recognizing Colom's potential from the moment they met.