Colom projected to defeat Hyde-Smith in Mississippi Senate race

Democrat Scott Colom was projected to defeat Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race on November 11, after late ballot counts widened his lead to about 4,669 votes. The Associated Press called the contest that evening, and Hyde-Smith conceded, according to Colom’s campaign. Official certification was still pending in reports published November 12.

With more than 962,000 votes counted, Colom held 49.2% to Hyde-Smith’s 48.7%, while independent candidate Ty Pinkins received 2.1%, according to the reported tally. Earlier projections put Colom’s advantage at roughly 4,500 to 4,700 votes, as county updates continued to add ballots. The final certified statewide total had not yet been established.

The count extended for more than a week after Election Day as officials processed absentee ballots and provisional ballots, called affidavit ballots in Mississippi. Colom’s lead had been as narrow as a few dozen votes earlier in the count. Updates from counties, including a Jackson County batch of more than 2,000 votes, helped push his margin higher.

Hyde-Smith publicly congratulated Colom and said she respected voters’ decision. The Colom campaign said she...