Democrat Scott Colom unseats Cindy Hyde-Smith in stunning Mississippi Senate win

Mississippi voters delivered a historic upset on Wednesday, ousting incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and electing Democrat Scott Colom to the US Senate.

The Associated Press called the race late Wednesday after Colom’s lead over Hyde-Smith widened through the counting of absentee and provisional ballots.

Historic milestone for Mississippi

The win represents a seismic shift in a state that has not sent a Democrat to the Senate since 1982. Colom is also the first Black man to be elected to the Senate from Mississippi in the state’s history.

Colom’s victory cements Mississippi’s status as the state sending the most Black people to the Senate, second only to Illinois.

Colom, a seventh-generation Mississippian, campaigned on the promise that 'Mississippi matters' and vowed to represent all residents, including those who voted for his opponent.

Campaign strategy and viral moment

Colom’s campaign successfully harnessed a viral moment from Hyde-Smith, who told a local television host during an interview about rising beef prices, 'You have so many proteins to choose from.'

The campaign produced a 30-second ad that juxtaposed her comment with a man grilling beef patties, asking, 'Pick another protein?' The ad ended with the line, 'Shiiiit. I’d rather pick another senator instead.'

To amplify the message, Colom drove a 'pick your protein' taco truck around the state, handing out free tacos to voters and engaging directly with the electorate.

The Democrat also attended a rally for his opponent, President Donald Trump, in Corinth a week before the election to listen to concerns about gas prices, grocery bills, and health insurance.

National wave and legal mobilization

Colom’s win was part of a broader national trend, as voters across the South were motivated by the administration’s attempts to redraw Black-majority districts.

The race drew significant national attention, with Democratic stars including Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, and Bill Clinton visiting the state to campaign for Colom.

Hundreds of volunteers and lawyers from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Elias Law Group descended upon Mississippi to oversee the final rounds of ballot counting.

Mississippi has no automatic recount law, meaning a recount could only occur if ordered by a court in response to a lawsuit.

Concession and next steps

In a concession video shared on social media, Hyde-Smith said, 'While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters.'

She offered her congratulations to Colom and wished him well as he takes on the 'tremendous responsibility of representing our great state'.

Colom’s victory expands the Democratic Senate caucus to at least 55 seats, the party’s largest midterm gain since 1986.

As the state awaits the official certification of the results, Colom is set to be sworn in as the state’s newest senator.