Closely Contested Race

Colom won with 49.2% of the vote, while his Republican opponent, incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith, received 48.7%, and an independent candidate got 2.1%, according to figures from CBS. The margin was so narrow that the race could not be called until more than a week after election day, as local officials counted every ballot received before the deadline.

Hyde-Smith congratulated Colom in a video posted on X on Wednesday evening. ‘While this was not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters,’ she said. Colom’s win breaks a Republican winning streak in Mississippi that dates back to 1982.

Part of Larger Democratic Gains

Colom’s victory is part of a broader shift in the 2026 midterm elections, where Democrats have secured control of both the House and the Senate. They have won Senate seats in numerous Republican strongholds, including Texas, South Carolina, and Kansas. The Democratic majority in the Senate is now 55 seats, with one race in Alaska still pending.

The Mississippi race was considered unlikely to be this close, as Hyde-Smith ran for re-election in a state that President Donald Trump won in 2024 by more than 22 points. However, Democrats have capitalized on voter frustrations with the economy and the Iran war under Trump’s administration, according to exit polls.

Colom, a local prosecutor, used this national mood to his advantage. He highlighted his opponent’s support for Trump’s tariffs and gave her the nickname ‘Cindy High Prices.’ He campaigned aggressively, visiting all 82 counties in Mississippi.

Controversial Campaign Dynamics

Hyde-Smith’s campaign accused Colom of being a puppet of billionaire liberal donor George Soros, whose family has supported the Democrat’s political campaigns. However, Hyde-Smith was criticized for a lack of public appearances during the final days of vote counting.

Colom, by contrast, maintained a visible presence. After the election, he held a series of events where he castigated his opponent. ‘Ultimately, at some point, the senator needs to speak out. Where is Cindy Hyde-Smith?’ Colom told reporters on Friday in Jackson, Mississippi. ‘We want to hear from her. She needs to answer questions. What is her path to victory? She doesn’t have one.’

Colom’s win is also historically significant. The last time a Democrat won a US Senate race in Mississippi was in 1982, when John Stennis defeated Republican challenger Haley Barbour. Colom will be sworn in next January and will advocate for policies such as raising the minimum wage, increasing protections for rural hospitals, and ending the US-Israel war on Iran.