Democrat Scott Colom has officially won Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race, and congratulations are pouring in from across the political spectrum, including from Republican Gov. Tate Reeves.
The Associated Press called the race for Colom on Wednesday, more than a week after Election Day. Colom, the district attorney for Mississippi Circuit Court District 16, defeated incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who had been backed by President Donald Trump.
The win marks the first time a Democrat has been elected to a Mississippi U.S. Senate seat since 1982. The last Democrat to hold the office was the late Sen. John Stennis, who served from late 1947 until early 1989.
Gov. Reeves offered his congratulations on X, writing, “Congratulations to Senator-Elect @scott_colom. I hope to collaborate as we continue our very important work to support Mississippi families, grow jobs and wages for our people, and improve educational outcomes for our kids!”
Colom responded by sharing the governor’s post, writing, “Thank you for the congratulations @tatereeves. I also look forward to working with you on the issues that matter to our state. Together, there’s nothing our beautiful state can’t accomplish,” adding the hashtag “#MississippiMatters.”
Former President Bill Clinton also congratulated Colom in a post on X. “We may have had to count One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, but Blue Mississippi sure has a nice ring to it! Scott, you put your heart and soul into this race because you believe in the promise of your state’s people. And they believed in you right back. I’m honored to have stood alongside you. Congratulations!” Clinton wrote.
Colom’s victory also carries significant historical weight. He will be the third Black person ever to serve as a U.S. senator from Mississippi, and the first Black senator from the state since the 1800s. He is also the first Black person popularly elected to the seat in Mississippi, since the two earlier Black senators were chosen by the state legislature before the 17th Amendment established direct elections.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who campaigned with Colom, highlighted that history in her own congratulatory message. “The power is with the people, and the people of Mississippi are with Scott. @scott_colom makes history today as the first Black senator elected in Mississippi since Reconstruction. I saw firsthand when campaigning with him in his hometown that he is a brilliant leader and dedicated public servant who will work tirelessly to serve every Mississippian with pride. Congratulations, Scott,” Harris wrote.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., also congratulated Colom, pointing to his campaign themes. “Congratulations to Scott Colom on winning his election and making history as Mississippi’s first Black senator since Reconstruction. Scott ran on a bold agenda — taking on Big Tech, the billionaire class and corruption in Washington — and WON. Scott: Welcome to the Senate,” Sanders wrote.
