Mississippi’s historic Senate election was more than four years in the making. Let’s take a look back on the pivotal events that led up to an historic upset of a sitting senator that resulted in the first African American to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate in almost 150 years.
October 2022: The block
President Biden nominated Columbus-area DA Scott Colom to the federal bench in North Mississippi. Sen. Roger Wicker backed him, but Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith refused to return her “blue slip,” killing the nomination. She cited Soros-linked PAC money in his 2015 DA race and his support for trans rights. The Indy later reported her Soros claim was inaccurate.
March 2025: Trump weighs in early
More than a year and a half before the election, President Trump endorsed “100% MAGA” Hyde-Smith for a second full term, praising her work on border security and agriculture.
July 2025: Pinkins goes independent
Ty Pinkins, the 2024 Democratic Senate nominee, left the party to run as an independent — a move that came after he was reportedly urged to step aside for another Democrat.
August 2025: Hyde-Smith launches bid, brags on blocking nomination
Hyde-Smith kicked off her reelection bid at the Mississippi Agriculture Museum with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. She drew applause by boasting that Colom “thought he was going to be a federal judge, and I blocked him.”
September 2025: Colom jumps in
Colom announced his campaign with a video hitting Hyde-Smith’s vote for Trump’s tax-and-spending bill and its Medicaid cuts, pitching himself as a senator who puts “Mississippi first.” Hyde-Smith’s campaign and the NRSC immediately branded him Chuck Schumer’s recruit.
March 2026: Cruising to the nominations
Hyde-Smith beat physician Sarah Adlakha with about 81% of the vote. Colom took 73% against Albert Littell and Priscilla Williams-Till, saying Hyde-Smith had been “too busy serving herself and her big-money donors. That ends in November.”
Summer 2026: An empty chair at Neshoba
Colom and Pinkins spoke at the Neshoba County Fair; Hyde-Smith skipped the annual event, citing Senate business. Colom hammered her over tariffs, “tax breaks to billionaires” and campaign-funded Las Vegas trips, which her campaign denied.
September 2026: “She’s chicken!”
Flanked by a staffer in an inflatable chicken suit, Colom accepted two TV debate invitations and dared Hyde-Smith to join. Her campaign called it a losing candidate’s stunt. No debate was ever held.
October 2026: The money moves against Hyde-Smith
Senate Majority PAC announced a $1.2 million TV buy. The Indy found outside groups had spent about $3.4 million opposing Hyde-Smith, versus roughly $593,000 supporting her.
October 2026: Hyde-Smith brushes off a tightening race
Kamala Harris campaigned for Colom in Clarksdale and Columbus. Hyde-Smith’s camp dismissed a tightening assessment as an 11th-hour establishment ploy; Colom’s team answered with a “Where Is Cindy” site.
Oct. 26, 2026: Trump rallies in Corinth
Trump headlined a rally for Hyde-Smith at Crossroads Arena, saying he couldn’t “take a chance.” On stage, Hyde-Smith asked, “Is this not the best president in our lifetime?” Colom held a press conference in Corinth beforehand.
Nov. 3, 2026: The blue tsunami
Colom’s upset came on a night when Democrats won back control of Congress and flipped Senate seats in Republican strongholds, including Kansas and South Carolina, with James Talarico winning in Texas. Mississippi was the reddest state Democrats won: Trump carried it by 23 points in 2024. Colom’s win takes the new Democratic majority to 55 seats, and Alaska is still uncalled. NPR credited a surge in Black voter turnout across the South.
Nov. 3, 2026: Hyde-Smith all but claims victory
At her Flowood watch party, Hyde-Smith told supporters, “I assure you I will continue to be your U.S. senator.” Shortly after midnight, Colom pulled ahead by 28 votes.
Nov. 4, 2026: Too close to call
Colom led by just 43 votes after the final overnight update. He said he was confident and vowed to “protect the integrity of this election.” Asked about Hyde-Smith’s remarks, he replied: “Bless her heart.” Her campaign noted thousands of ballots remained.
Nov. 5–6, 2026: Republicans lawyer up
Lawyers for Hyde-Smith and the NRSC told all 82 counties to preserve affidavit ballots. Hyde-Smith posted that she would represent Mississippi for “the next six years.” By Friday, Colom’s lead topped 2,000.
Nov. 9–10, 2026: Hyde-Smith goes radio silent
Mississippi Today noted Hyde-Smith hadn’t been seen in person since election night. When CNN caught up with her, she said the campaign still felt confident and that Colom “can say anything he wants.”
Nov. 4–9, 2026: Not sure about Schumer
Before the race was called, Colom was already among incoming Democrats withholding support from Schumer, calling for more geographic diversity in party leadership. Schumer predicted he’d be reelected leader anyway as unrest grew in the caucus.
Nov. 11, 2026: Hinds County puts Colom over the top
Hinds County finalized its count — accepting 817 of 2,426 affidavit ballots — pushing Colom’s lead past 4,400 votes.
Nov. 11, 2026: AP calls it for Colom
Just before 5 p.m. CT, after a Jackson County update, the AP called the race. Colom led by 4,669 votes out of 962,237 counted — about half a percentage point. He becomes Mississippi’s first Black senator since Reconstruction and its first Democratic senator elected since 1982.
Nov. 11, 2026: Hyde-Smith concedes
Hyde-Smith called Colom, then posted a video: “While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters.” Colom’s campaign said he replied, “God bless you and thank you, senator.”
Nov. 11, 2026: Celebration at Tougaloo
Colom celebrated at Tougaloo College, invoking Medgar Evers and Fannie Lou Hamer. “In Mississippi, our prayers often change the course of history,” he said. Schumer declared, “Blue Mississippi is here.”
Nov. 12, 2026: Trump tips his cap
President Trump, who rallied for Hyde-Smith two weeks earlier, said of Colom’s win: “I give him a lot of credit.”
Nov. 11, 2026: “Same borough”
Schumer was an early Colom backer, yet Colom kept him at arm’s length, objecting that Democrats’ House and Senate leaders both come from the same New York City borough.
Nov. 12, 2026: “I got to know my options”
On MS NOW, Sen.-elect Colom said it’s “not accurate” to say Schumer recruited him and declined to commit, saying he needed to know his options. That evening, Sen. Chris Van Hollen announced a challenge to Schumer for majority leader.
Nov. 13 – Jan. 3: What’s next
Counties certify results Nov. 13; the secretary of state declares final results Dec. 3. Candidates have 20 days to file a contest, and Mississippi has no recount law. Colom takes office Jan. 3, 2027, when Democrats assume the majority.
Image: Outline of Mississippi (via Wikimedia Commons)