How Scott Colom won deep-red Mississippi with little help from Democrats
Summary
Scott Colom defeated Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith to win Mississippi’s U.S. Senate seat, becoming the state’s first Democratic senator since 1982 and its first Black senator since the Reconstruction era. His campaign focused on direct voter outreach and locally tailored ads, despite limited support from national Democrats.Key Facts
- Colom won the Senate race on Wednesday, defeating incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith.
- He is Mississippi’s first Democratic senator since 1982 and its first Black senator since the Reconstruction era.
- Colom used campaign ads tied to local issues and culture, including one criticizing Hyde-Smith’s remarks about beef prices.
- He reached voters at restaurants, salons, college homecomings and other community settings, and drove a truck that offered free tacos.
- Colom said he needed strong Black voter turnout and support from about a quarter of white voters to win.
- Shortly before the election, Colom had raised about $3.6 million, while Hyde-Smith had raised about $5.3 million.
- Hyde-Smith blocked Colom’s 2023 nomination to become a federal district judge.
- Colom previously became the first Black district attorney for Mississippi’s 16th circuit after winning election in 2015.
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