Colom wins Mississippi Senate race, ending 44-year Democratic drought

Democrat Scott Colom has won Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race, defeating Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith and ending a decades-long run in which the state elected no Democrat to the chamber. The Associated Press called the contest on Wednesday, more than a week after Election Day, following extended counting. The supplied reports do not include official vote totals.

Colom’s victory makes him the first Democrat elected to represent Mississippi in the Senate since John Stennis won in 1982. It also makes him the first Black person popularly elected to represent the state in the Senate. Hiram Revels and Blanche Bruce, the two Black senators who served Mississippi after the Civil War, were selected by the state Legislature rather than elected by popular vote.

Hyde-Smith conceded the race on Wednesday evening, according to a source close to Colom’s campaign, and later released a public concession video. She said she respected voters’ decision and congratulated Colom. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves also congratulated the senator-elect and said he looked forward to working with him on issues affecting the state.

Colom, a district attorney in north Mississippi, campaigned against...