Democrat Scott Colom won Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race, the AP said. Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith conceded Wednesday evening.
JACKSON, Miss. — Democrat Scott Colom has won Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race, the Associated Press said Wednesday, unseating Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in a contest that stayed undecided for more than a week.
Hyde-Smith conceded Wednesday evening in a video statement, saying she respected the decision of Mississippi voters. The AP and other outlets had called the race earlier in the day after additional ballots were counted. Colom led by 4,585 votes when the race was first called, according to the AP.
Colom, a district attorney from northeast Mississippi, will be the first Black senator elected directly by Mississippi voters. The state’s two previous Black senators, in the 1870s, were chosen by the Legislature. Most forecasters had rated the race as safely Republican.
The outcome turned on affidavit, absentee and mail ballots, many of which were still being counted statewide, according to Democracy Docket. Hyde-Smith had held the seat since 2018.
This report draws on coverage by Democracy Docket, Mississippi Today and News From The States, along with AP race results.