Democrat Scott Colom Sees Opening in Mississippi Senate Race
WHO:
ABC News - Scott Colom is a Democrat, district attorney for four counties along the Mississippi-Alabama border, and a former nominee for a U.S. district judge position.
ABC News - Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith is the incumbent U.S. senator; her campaign manager is Jake Monssen.
ABC News - Former Vice President Kamala Harris and Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock campaigned with Colom. Barack Obama recorded an advertisement for him.
ABC News - Senate Majority PAC, an outside group aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, announced spending for Colom. Its spokesperson is Lauren French.
The Washington Post - Michael Ward owns three farm-haul trucks and recently bought a red trailer for spreading chicken litter on fields.
WHAT:
ABC News - Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he believes statewide races in Florida, Mississippi and South Carolina are “in play” for Democrats, and that the party made mistakes by not investing in the South earlier “in this generation.”
ABC News - Moore said chronic Democratic underinvestment has contributed to fewer history-making candidates being elected, noting he is the third African American elected governor in U.S. history.
ABC News - Moore said his campaign personally invested in Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa’s campaign.
ABC News - Moore said he is focused on Maryland residents and would not seek the presidency, saying he would not run for reelection as governor if he were considering anything else.
ABC News - Moore described potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates: Mark Kelly as a “Remarkable veteran,” Pete Buttigieg as “Remarkably competent,” Josh Shapiro as a “Really solid advocate,” Kamala Harris as a “Really decent person and great vice president,” Gavin Newsom as a “Strong leader,” and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a “Passionate advocate.”
ABC News - Colom’s election would make him Mississippi’s first Black U.S. senator since Reconstruction.
ABC News - Mississippi is about 36% Black, according to U.S. Census data. The state has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1982 and voted for Trump in 2024 by about 20 points. ABC News rates the race “solid Republican.”
ABC News - Senate Majority PAC announced $1.2 million in broadcast television and digital advertising for Colom.
ABC News - Colom’s campaign made an advertisement from a viral video of voters mocking Hyde-Smith’s comment, “You have so many proteins to choose from,” about responding to higher meat and other goods prices. One voter says, “Pick another protein ... I'd rather pick another Senator instead.”
ABC News - Hyde-Smith’s campaign says she has cosponsored bills that became law; congressional records show legislation she initially sponsored or reintroduced has not become law. Her campaign said lawmakers’ bills are often included in larger legislative packages.
The Washington Post - Ward’s three trucks were idle because diesel fuel was expensive; he bought a trailer because fertilizer costs too much.
WHERE:
ABC News - The Senate race is in Mississippi; Colom is a district attorney in counties along the Mississippi-Alabama border.
The Washington Post - Ward’s farm and fields are in Starkville, Mississippi.
WHEN:
ABC News - Hyde-Smith blocked Colom’s federal judicial nomination in 2023, citing his support for transgender rights and prior backing from a George Soros-linked PAC, according to the Mississippi Free Press.
ABC News - Hyde-Smith’s campaign said voters would return her to the Senate on November 3rd.
ABC News - Trump was set to hold a Mississippi campaign rally on Monday; Hyde-Smith’s campaign said she would attend.
WHY:
ABC News - Moore said voters are seeking leadership that will push back against corruption from Trump and advance a new direction, and said the Democratic base is “enlarged” as well as energized.
ABC News - Democrats cited Colom’s credentials, voter opposition to Republican incumbents, and motivation among Democratic-leaning Black voters as reasons he could gain support.
ABC News - Colom said his candidacy was about Mississippi residents, not retaliation against Hyde-Smith: “as a Christian, I forgive her.”
ABC News - French said Colom’s campaign was “disciplined” and its messages resonated with voters. Hyde-Smith’s campaign called the effort a “last ditch effort” for a “failing campaign.”
ABC News - Trump said Hyde-Smith was “very popular” and that he would go to Mississippi if she needed help getting “over the top.”
HOW:
ABC News - Colom said a senator should put Mississippi farmers and small businesses first, represent the state’s values, oppose corruption, and deliver on commitments to put America first.
ABC News - Harris said Colom’s voice in the Senate could affect decisions made there.
(UPDATED October 25, 2026 16:03 UTC)
Mississippi’s Senate race is drawing new attention as Democrat Scott Colom challenges Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith. Colom, a district attorney for four counties, would become the state’s first Black U.S. senator since Reconstruction if elected. Senate Majority PAC has committed $1.2 million to advertising for him, while former Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Raphael Warnock campaigned with him, and Barack Obama recorded an ad. Colom is also using a viral clip mocking Hyde-Smith’s remark about choosing proteins amid high prices. Maryland Governor Wes Moore says Democrats have a chance in statewide races across the South, including Mississippi, and regrets the party’s past lack of investment there. He says he is focused on Maryland and will not run for president. Hyde-Smith’s campaign says voters will return her to the Senate on November 3rd, and she plans to attend Trump’s Mississippi rally on Monday.
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(UPDATED October 25, 2026 14:59 UTC)
Mississippi’s closely watched Senate race pits Democratic district attorney Scott Colom against Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith, with Colom seeking to become the state’s first Black senator since Reconstruction. Democrats are highlighting his credentials and support from Black voters, while former Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Raphael Warnock have campaigned with him, and Barack Obama recorded an advertisement. Senate Majority PAC has committed $1.2 million to television and digital ads. Colom’s campaign also used a viral clip mocking Hyde-Smith’s suggestion that shoppers choose among proteins as prices rise. Hyde-Smith’s campaign says she has helped pass legislation, while records show bills she sponsored or reintroduced have not become law. The race comes in a state that backed Trump by about 20 points in 2024; ABC News rates it solid Republican.