Brookhaven, Miss. – The 2026 U.S. Senate race in Mississippi has entered a nail‑biter. Democrat Scott Colom, who has been traveling the state and meeting voters at universities, a Black‑owned bookshop, a vinyl record store, a diner and a senior‑citizen center, now leads incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde‑Smith by roughly 2,500 votes.
Campaign Strategies Diverge
Since Election Day, Colom has held at least eight public events, using the national attention on the race to flood local airwaves with his message. He has also appeared alongside top Democrats such as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Bill Clinton, underscoring the Democratic Party’s enthusiasm for a potential flip in a state that has long been a Republican stronghold.
In contrast, Sen. Hyde‑Smith has limited her public appearances to statements posted on X, including a Bible verse about hope shared on Sunday. Her campaign manager, Jake Monssen, told CNN that the team is “working around the clock across Mississippi to protect the integrity of this election and to ensure every legal vote is counted.” The senator is expected to return to Washington on Monday when the Senate reconvenes after a six‑week recess.
Numbers and Outlook
Current tallies show Colom ahead by about 2,500 votes, a margin that could be narrowed or widened as election officials vet thousands of provisional ballots in the coming days. If Colom wins, he would become Mississippi’s first Democratic senator in nearly four decades and the first Black senator since the Reconstruction era.
Hyde‑Smith’s campaign declined Colom’s debate invitations before Election Day and has held relatively few campaign events. Some of her supporters, like John, an insurance adjuster from Brookhaven, expressed disappointment that the incumbent did not campaign more aggressively, noting that the county once voted nearly two‑to‑one for her.
Local Reactions
F.B. Warren, a former school‑board member who has worked with Hyde‑Smith, warned that the close result should serve as a wake‑up call for Republicans in Mississippi. “They need to campaign better and work harder,” Warren said.
Warren’s wife, Angie, who owns two small stores in Hyde‑Smith’s hometown, observed that the Democratic Party appears to have better voter turnout this cycle, questioning why the Republican Party has struggled to mobilize its base.
Historical Context
Hyde‑Smith was first appointed to the Senate in 2018 and won a full term in 2020 by a ten‑point margin, even as former President Trump carried the state by 16 points. The early lack of national attention gave Colom a longer runway to build momentum, and the Senate Leadership Fund only reserved about $160,000 for the race in late October, after Democrats announced a $1 million ad spend.
Mississippi GOP Chair Michael Hurst highlighted the party’s volunteer attorneys and observers who are monitoring the ballot‑review process, emphasizing the Republican commitment to ensuring that only legally cast ballots are counted.
What’s Next?
Both campaigns are preparing for a possible legal battle over the final count. Democrat Phillip Rollins, who owns the comic‑book and record shop where Colom recently campaigned, said voters are “fed up” and want to see change in their lifetimes.
The race remains too close to call, and Mississippians will be watching closely as provisional ballots are examined and the final results are certified.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
