Scott Colom becomes Mississippi’s first Black senator since Reconstruction

Scott Colom defeated incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi’s US Senate race to become the state’s first Black senator since the end of the American Civil War and Reconstruction.

After days of tallying ballots, the Associated Press called the race for Colom in the historically Republican state on Wednesday.

His win was seen as a major political achievement in the heavily Republican state of Mississippi. It also contributed to Democratic gains in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, when the GOP was hit with widespread losses.

“All I did was to have the courage to envision a night like this,” Colom said to cheers and applause at his celebration at Tougaloo College in Jackson.

Colom made an economic message focusing on the rising cost of living and attempted to appeal to voters outside of the Democratic Party. He was endorsed by prominent Democratic leaders including former President Bill Clinton and ex-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Hyde-Smith formally conceded Wednesday and extended congratulations to Colom, stating she respected the decision of the people of Mississippi.

Reuters also notes that Colom’s success means he will be the first Democrat elected to a Mississippi Senate seat since 1982.