Scott Colom projects victory in razor-thin Mississippi Senate race as uncounted ballots linger

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Democratic challenger Scott Colom declared confidence Wednesday morning in Mississippi’s uncalled U.S. Senate race, telling supporters he believes outstanding ballots will carry him to victory over incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.

As of 3 a.m. Wednesday, Colom held a razor-thin lead of just 43 votes out of more than 925,000 cast — leading Hyde-Smith 462,821 to 462,778 with an estimated 95.6% of ballots tabulated. Independent candidate Ty Pinkins garnered 19,935 votes.

Because federal general elections in Mississippi do not trigger a runoff, the candidate who finishes with a plurality will claim the seat.

“Where we are, where the ballots are, we’re gonna win,” Colom said as he addressed supporters at a 10 a.m. news conference. “This is our election. We’ve won it. The people have done it. They’ve decided to go in a new direction. I’m confident of that.”

The outcome now hinges on uncounted ballots. According to reporting from Mississippi Today, the Colom campaign estimates between 10,000 and 15,000 affidavit ballots remain outstanding statewide.

When asked about the microscopic margin, Colom emphasized that his campaign has spent months preparing for the post-election count.

“We have an army of lawyers. We have local lawyers; we have everybody involved to make sure the process goes according to the law,” Colom said, adding that his primary concern is the integrity of the count rather than speed.

Asked about Hyde-Smith’s earlier declaration of victory Tuesday night, Colom offered a brief response: “Bless her heart.”

If his lead holds, Colom would become the first Black U.S. Senator from Mississippi since Hiram Revels was sworn in during Reconstruction in 1870.

“I am going to serve with integrity,” Colom said. “I am going to serve with honesty, transparency. I never planned to be just another Democratic senator. I planned to be Mississippi’s Democratic senator.”

Colom reiterated his core platform priorities, citing hospital closures, living costs, and federal policy: “I’m gonna get in there, and I’m gonna focus on getting costs down, because the tariffs are not working. We’ve got to find a process to get out of the war in Iran as soon as possible. And we have to save our healthcare and hospitals. I’m gonna do what I said.”

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