A closely watched Senate contest in a longtime Republican stronghold is finally over, after the incumbent addressed voters in a recorded message.
As reported by The Western Journal, Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi conceded Wednesday to Democratic challenger Scott Colom after a network projection found that Colom had won. The outlet said the result brings the Democratic total in the next Senate to 55 seats.
About an hour after that projection, Hyde-Smith posted a video formally conceding the race. Over the past week, our campaign has worked tirelessly to ensure every legally cast vote was counted and that the people of Mississippi received a fair and transparent election, she said.
While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters, Hyde-Smith added. I want to congratulate Scott Colom and wish him well as he takes on the tremendous responsibility of representing our great state.
Hyde-Smiths campaign said she also called Colom to concede. After a brief conversation, Colom told her, God bless you and thank you, senator.
Hyde-Smith was the first woman elected to represent Mississippi in the Senate and in Congress. She was appointed in April 2018 after Sen. Thad Cochran resigned, then won a special election later that year and a full six-year term in November 2020.
Colom will become the first Black senator from Mississippi since Reconstruction. He spoke late Wednesday at Tougaloo College in Jackson, telling supporters the victory had once seemed out of reach.
Throughout this campaign, there were many times where I had to have faith, he said. There were times that I couldnt get donors to answer the phone. They did not believe a moment like this was possible, but I kept the faith. He added, I did my first town hall in Jackson, Mississippi Less than 10 people showed up, but I kept the faith.
The two were not strangers, and in 2023 Hyde-Smith blocked Coloms nomination to a lifetime seat on a federal district court, citing what she described as his radical views. That earlier fight helped set the stage for the Senate campaign that has now ended in her defeat.
In a longer portion of her concession message, Hyde-Smith thanked her family, staff, volunteers, and donors, and said her campaign had fought for farmers, the military, veterans, and conservative values. An election may come to an end, but our commitment to Mississippi never will, she said. And while my time in the United States Senate may be coming to an end, my love for Mississippi and my determination to stand up for what is right never will.
The immediate question is how the new 55-seat Democratic majority will use the added vote when the next Congress convenes. Colom has not yet detailed a full Senate agenda, and Hyde-Smith has not said what she will do after she leaves office.
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