Scott Colom secured a narrow win to become Mississippi's first Black U.S. senator in more than 150 years and only the third in state history. The post-Civil War era previously saw Hiram Revels and Blanche Bruce represent the state before Jim Crow laws curtailed Black political representation. In his victory speech, Colom referenced Revels' background as a minister and Civil War chaplain, emphasizing the enduring power of prayer during difficult times.
Key points
The election marks the first time Mississippi has seated a Democratic U.S. senator since…: The election marks the first time Mississippi has seated a Democratic U.S. senator since 1982.
High turnout among Black voters and youth mobilization proved critical to reversing long-…: High turnout among Black voters and youth mobilization proved critical to reversing long-standing state electoral trends.
Colom is the first Black senator to represent the state since repressive Jim Crow laws we…: Colom is the first Black senator to represent the state since repressive Jim Crow laws were implemented.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
After winning a close race in Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom will become the state's first black US senator for more than 150 years, and the third in history.
It is a historic result in the deeply conservative southern state that last sent a Democrat to the US Senate in 1982, and had not seated a black senator since 1875.
Colom follows Hiram Revels, who became the first black person ever to serve in the chamber when he was seated from 1870 to 1871, and Blanche Bruce, whose term ran from 1875 to 1881.
Revels was chosen as Mississippi's first senator after the Civil War, serving for just over a year and campaigning strongly for racial equality.
A few years later, Bruce, who was born into slavery, became the first black person to serve a full term in the US Senate. He remained in Washington after leaving the chamber and held a role in the Treasury.
Both terms came before the repressive Jim Crow laws began to enforce racial segregation across Mississippi and other southern US states.
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