ScottColom News & Analysis

Mississippi Senate: Scott Colom Leads Hyde-Smith by 3,041 Votes

Democratic candidate Scott Colom has extended his lead over incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith by 3,041 votes in the Mississippi Senate election. With 98% of the votes counted, Colom holds 49.11% of the vote compared to Hyde-Smith's 48.79%, while independent Ty Pinkins has 2.1%. The vote count is closely watched as Hinds County commissioners assess the acceptance or rejection of ballots. Hinds County, the state's second-most populous and majority Black region including the capital Jackson, shows Colom winning 80% of its vote compared to Hyde-Smith's 19%. If elected, Colom would be Mississippi's first Black senator since the Reconstruction Era. This race remains unresolved as of the deadline for affidavit, provisional, and mail-in absentee ballot processing. Nationwide, Democrats have flipped seven Senate seats for a majority of at least 54 seats in the 100-member Senate starting January. This close Mississippi race matters because it is one of only two Senate elections not yet called, alongside Alaska. The outcome could influence the Senate balance further. Ordinary investors interested in political risk should watch the ballot acceptance in Hinds County and the final vote tally, as they determine control of this Senate seat.