Mississippi elects first Black senator since Reconstruction

Democrat Scott Colom defeated Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi, becoming the state's first Black US senator in more than 140 years.

The call came eight days after election night, capping a midterm in which Democrats reclaimed the Senate majority. In a state with the nation's highest share of Black residents, Colom's win is a historic breakthrough that reshapes the chamber's balance of power.

With about 99 percent of the vote reported, Colom led Hyde-Smith by 49.2 percent to 48.7 percent.

CNN and the Associated Press both projected the win on Wednesday, more than a week after election night.

Mississippi's first African American elected to the US Senate since Hiram Revels served during Reconstruction is Colom. Revels, the first Black senator the US ever elected, was from Mississippi and served after the Civil War.

At just under 40 percent, Mississippi has the highest share of Black residents among US states. At a rally in Mississippi this week, a Black man marked a statewide election victory, the first such win since the American Civil War’s aftermath.

Colom, 43, serves as district attorney for four counties near the Mississippi-Alabama border. Hyde-Smith blocked his 2023 nomination to become a US district judge.

Colom ran a grassroots campaign with limited early backing from national Democrats. His campaign didn't get much attention or resources from outside Mississippi until about a month before the election, he said.

In its final months, Colom’s campaign appearances included events with former Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Bill Clinton. A video also went viral in which he poked fun at Hyde-Smith over her remarks about opting for other proteins because beef prices were high.

Democrats' midterm Senate pickups now stand at eight. They'll hold 55 seats in the 100-member Senate, Republicans 44, with the Alaska race still outstanding.

Democrats gained seven more Senate seats previously held by Republicans, winning in Maine, Texas, Ohio, Kansas, Iowa, North Carolina and South Carolina.

When Colom takes office in January, Mississippi is poised to send its first Democratic senator in nearly 40 years.

Hyde-Smith was running for a second full term and campaigned with President Donald Trump at a rally in October. A campaign spokesperson confirmed she called Colom to concede.

At a Wednesday night victory rally in Jackson, Colom spoke about Mississippi figures Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first Black US senator in American history, and civil rights leader Medgar Evers. Another report places the rally at Tougaloo College on November 11, 2026.

Chuck Schumer, the US Senate's top Democrat, declared "Blue Mississippi is here" and said Colom was the only person who could have gotten it done.

Supporters celebrated on the lawn of Tougaloo College, near the chapel where Fannie Lou Hamer and Medgar Evers gave speeches. Shouts of celebration erupted at the local NAACP office when the race was called for Colom.

1. Election nightPolls close

   Mississippi votes; both campaigns ready for potential litigation over provisional ballots estimated in the thousands.

2. WednesdayRace called

   CNN and the Associated Press project Colom's win, eight days after election night.

3. WednesdayConcession

   Hyde-Smith calls Colom to concede, a campaign spokesperson confirms.

4. Wednesday nightVictory rally

   Colom speaks to supporters in Jackson; another report places the rally at Tougaloo College on November 11, 2026.

5. JanuarySwearing-in

   Colom will take office as a US senator.

After Election Day, both campaigns and their parties said they were ready for potential litigation over provisional ballots estimated in the thousands.

The Alaska Senate race remains undecided, so the final Senate seat count is not settled. Democrats hold 55 seats to Republicans' 44 with Alaska still outstanding.