Who is Scott Colom, Mississippi’s first Black senator in 150 years?

What the report says

Scott Colom, a Democratic prosecutor from Mississippi, has won the state’s closely watched US Senate race, according to Al Jazeera, defeating Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in a narrow contest that was not called until more than a week after the midterms. The victory gives Democrats control of the Senate and ends a long Republican run in the seat. It is also a historic milestone: Colom is described as Mississippi’s first Black senator in more than 150 years, and the first Black American to represent the state in the Senate since 1874.

Al Jazeera reported that Colom won by fewer than 5,000 votes after nearly all ballots were counted. The result is notable in Mississippi, a deeply conservative state that voted heavily for Donald Trump in the previous presidential election. The article says Colom’s win also marks the first Democratic Senate victory in Mississippi since 1982.

Colom, 43, is a lawyer who has served as a state prosecutor since 2016. He previously became the first Black district attorney elected in his judicial district in 2015. He is married and has two children. During the campaign, he emphasized affordability, wages and healthcare, while also criticizing Hyde-Smith’s record. Al Jazeera noted that his campaign drew support from some voters who normally back Republicans, helped by a mix of direct messaging, humor and appeals to Mississippi pride.

The broader significance of the race goes beyond party control. In a state with a large Black population and a long history of racial exclusion from statewide office, Colom’s win is being seen as a symbolic and political turning point. More generally, it reflects the wider Democratic gains reported in the 2026 midterms.