Scott Colom makes history as Mississippi’s first Black U.S. Senator since reconstruction

JACKSON, Miss. — Democrat Scott Colom made history Wednesday, Nov. 11, becoming Mississippi’s first Black U.S. senator-elect since Reconstruction.

Colom, 43, defeated Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in one of the closest races of the 2026 midterm elections. His victory also made him the first Democrat elected to represent Mississippi in the Senate since 1982.

The Associated Press called the race Wednesday after election officials spent days counting ballots.

Reuters reported that Colom led Hyde-Smith by more than 4,500 votes, a margin of approximately half a percentage point.

Scott Colom Breaks a 150-Year Barrier

Mississippi last sent a Black senator to Washington during Reconstruction following the Civil War.

Hiram Revels became the nation’s first Black U.S. senator in 1870. Blanche K. Bruce followed in 1875, becoming the first Black American to complete a full Senate term.

However, state lawmakers selected both men before Americans began directly electing senators in 1913.

Colom is the first Black U.S. senator elected directly by Mississippi voters.

From Mississippi Prosecutor to U.S. Senator-Elect

Before entering the Senate race, Colom served as district attorney for Mississippi’s 16th Judicial District.

In 2015, he became the district’s first Black district attorney after defeating a longtime incumbent.

In 2023, Hyde-Smith blocked his nomination for a federal judgeship under President Joe Biden, citing disagreements over transgender issues.

Mississippi’s other Republican senator, Roger Wicker, supported the nomination.

The Guardian detailed Colom’s grassroots campaign, which included visits to colleges, local businesses and communities across Mississippi.

He also spoke with Republican voters attending Trump rallies, seeking common ground on economic concerns.

Colom focused on rising grocery prices, health insurance costs and financial pressures facing working families.

Meanwhile, his campaign gained attention through an advertisement criticizing Hyde-Smith’s response to rising beef prices.

Hyde-Smith Concedes Historic Senate Race

Hyde-Smith conceded Wednesday after updated vote totals expanded Colom’s lead.

“While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters,” she said.

She also congratulated Colom and wished him success.

A Victory Rooted in Mississippi’s Civil Rights History

Throughout his campaign, Colom emphasized Mississippi’s civil rights history and voting rights.

One advertisement featured him outside the former home of Medgar Evers, the civil rights leader assassinated in Jackson in 1963.

“He was killed for helping Mississippians vote,” Colom said. “On Tuesday, use your vote and honor everyone who died for that right.”

His victory breaks a political barrier that stood for more than 150 years, marking a new chapter in Mississippi’s history.