Scott Colom elected first Black senator from Mississippi in 151 years, Democrats hit 55
Synopsis
For the first time in 151 years, Mississippi has sent an African American to the US Senate — and he did it as a Democrat, in a state that hasn't backed one statewide in 44 years. Scott Colom's razor-thin win over Cindy Hyde-Smith, whom he had reason to personally oppose, pushes Democrats to 55 Senate seats and delivers one of the most symbolically charged results of the 2026 election cycle.
Key Takeaways
Scott Colom is the first African American elected from Mississippi to the US Senate in 151 years .
He is also the first Democrat to win a statewide race in Mississippi in 44 years .
Colom defeated Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith by fewer than 4,669 votes — less than half a percentage point.
The win pushes Democratic Senate seats to 55 in the 100-member chamber , giving the party firm control.
The last African American senator from Mississippi was Hiram Revels , elected in 1875 during Reconstruction.
One Senate race remains uncalled in Alaska , where Democrat Mary Peltola leads Republican Dan Sullivan .
Scott Colom has made history by becoming the first African American elected from Mississippi to the US Senate in 151 years, pushing the Democratic Party's total in the upper chamber to 55 seats. His victory, confirmed on Wednesday, 12 November 2026, came after Republican incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith conceded defeat following media projections that placed Colom ahead by 4,669 votes — a margin of less than half a percentage point.
A Historic Win in Deep-Red Territory
Colom is also the first Democrat to win a statewide race in Mississippi in 44 years, a state that has long been considered an impenetrable stronghold for the Republican Party. Speaking at his victory rally in Jackson, Colom reflected on the improbability of the outcome. 'I kept the faith,' he told supporters. 'All I did was have the courage to imagine a night like this.'
In her concession, Hyde-Smith struck a measured tone. 'I respect the decision of Mississippi voters,' she said in a video message. 'I want to congratulate Scott Colom and wish him well as he takes on the tremendous responsibility of representing our great state.'
The Last 151 Years: Historical Context
The last African American elected to the Senate from Mississippi was Hiram Revels, who won in 1875 during the brief post-Civil War Reconstruction era. That period ended with Southern states, including Mississippi, retreating into entrenched racial segregation and disenfranchisement. The civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. helped restore some rights for African Americans, though structural racism persisted for decades. Colom's victory is widely seen as a generational shift, with a significant number of White voters reportedly joining minority communities to send him to Washington.
What Turned the Race
There is a notable irony in the victory: Hyde-Smith had previously blocked Colom's appointment as a federal judge, a decision that reportedly prompted him to enter the Senate race. A former public prosecutor, Colom benefited from an unexpected gaffe by Hyde-Smith during the campaign. When asked about rising beef prices, she responded, 'You have so many proteins to choose from.' Colom seized on the remark, repeatedly telling voters they had a choice — in electing a senator.
Democrats' Broader Gains and What Comes Next
With 55 seats in the 100-member Senate, Democrats now hold firm control of the upper chamber, in what observers are calling a 'blue tsunami.' One race remains uncalled: in Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola holds a slim lead over Republican Dan Sullivan, amid controversy over an independent candidate whose name reportedly resembles Sullivan's. Republicans have alleged the similarly named candidate was placed on the ballot to confuse voters.
Separately, in Florida, Byron Donalds — also an African American — was elected governor on the Republican ticket with the backing of President Donald Trump, marking another racial barrier broken on the opposing side of the aisle. Colom's Senate win and Donalds's gubernatorial victory together represent a rare election cycle in which African Americans made historic breakthroughs in two Southern states once synonymous with racial exclusion.
Point of View
A compelling backstory, and a wave election simultaneously. The more structurally significant question is whether this is a durable realignment in the South or a one-cycle anomaly. Democrats have celebrated similar 'historic first' victories before — in Georgia, in Virginia — only to see them reversed. The parallel Byron Donalds win in Florida on the Republican side is also worth noting: African American electoral breakthroughs in 2026 are bipartisan, complicating any single narrative about what this cycle means for race and party.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Scott Colom and why is his Senate win historic?
Scott Colom is a former public prosecutor from Mississippi who became the first African American elected from the state to the US Senate in 151 years. The last such senator was Hiram Revels, elected in 1875 during Reconstruction. Colom is also the first Democrat to win a statewide race in Mississippi in 44 years.
By how much did Scott Colom defeat Cindy Hyde-Smith?
Colom leads Hyde-Smith by 4,669 votes, a margin of less than half a percentage point. Hyde-Smith conceded after media organisations called the race for Colom on Wednesday, 12 November 2026.
How many Senate seats do Democrats now hold?
With Colom's victory, Democrats hold 55 seats in the 100-member US Senate, giving the party firm control of the upper chamber. One race in Alaska remains uncalled.
What was the controversy over the Alaska Senate race?
In Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola holds a slim lead over Republican Dan Sullivan. Republicans have alleged that an independent candidate with a name similar to Sullivan's was placed on the ballot to confuse voters, though the race has not yet been called.
What was the personal backstory behind Colom's Senate run?
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith had previously blocked Colom's appointment as a federal judge, which reportedly prompted him to enter the Senate race against her directly. His victory is widely noted for this irony.
