Scott Colom Could Become Mississippi's First Black Senator Since Reconstruction

Democrat Scott Colom could become Mississippi's first Black senator since Reconstruction, but the race remains uncalled as counties tally absentee and affidavit ballots. The outcome hinges on a lengthy verification process across 82 counties. Colom, a 43-year-old prosecutor, trails or leads Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by a razor-thin margin, with ballots accepted through Tuesday and certification due Friday. Hyde-Smith has not appeared publicly since election night, while Colom says remaining ballots lean in his favor. The result won't shift Senate control, which Democrats already hold, but would transform Mississippi politics after nearly 150 years of white conservative dominance. Colom's campaign highlighted civil rights history, including an ad at Medgar Evers' home.