Scott Colom could become Mississippi's first Black senator since Reconstruction as vote count continues

Democrat Scott Colom has not yet won Mississippi's U.S. Senate race, but he could become the state's first Black senator since Reconstruction as ballot counting continues. The outcome hinges on outstanding absentee and affidavit ballots being processed across all 82 counties. Colom, a 43-year-old local prosecutor, is challenging Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in a razor-thin contest too early for The Associated Press to call. Hyde-Smith has not appeared publicly since election night, while Colom says remaining ballots lean in his favor. Counties have until Friday to certify results, with no statewide recount provision under Mississippi law. Democrats already control the Senate, so the result won't change Washington's balance of power, but it would mark a historic shift in Mississippi, where nearly 40% of residents are Black yet white conservatives have dominated representation for generations. Colom's campaign has emphasized civil rights history, including an ad filmed at Medgar Evers' home.