The narrow victory was finalized after several days of ballot counting in one of the final unresolved midterm contests. To defeat Hyde-Smith, who had previously blocked his 2023 federal judgeship nomination, the challenger employed a grassroots strategy featuring visits to public housing and town halls. He rallied the state's substantial Black population and capitalized on local frustrations over economic issues and elevated fuel costs linked to Donald Trump's foreign policy.
Key points
The flipped Senate seat contributed directly to Democrats securing majorities in both cha…: The flipped Senate seat contributed directly to Democrats securing majorities in both chambers of Congress.
Grassroots mobilization among Black voters and rural communities successfully counteracte…: Grassroots mobilization among Black voters and rural communities successfully counteracted multiple late campaign appearances by Donald Trump.
Economic discontent and high fuel costs tied to a war in Iran significantly eroded suppor…: Economic discontent and high fuel costs tied to a war in Iran significantly eroded support for the Republican incumbent.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Democrat Scott Colom has defeated Republican incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi's closely contested US Senate race, becoming the state's first Black senator since the Reconstruction era following the US Civil War.
Colom, a 43-year-old district attorney, secured the narrow victory after several days of ballot counting in one of the last outstanding races from Tuesday's midterm elections. US media projected his victory on Wednesday.
The result marks a significant political shift in Mississippi, a state that has long been dominated by white conservatives. It also adds to the Democrats' gains in the midterm elections, in which the party won control of both chambers of Congress.
Hyde-Smith, 67, who was first elected in 2018, had consistently led in opinion polls in a state that President Donald Trump won by nearly 23 percentage points in 2024. Trump also campaigned for her towards the end of the race.
Colom capitalised on Mississippi's large Black population, economic discontent and criticism of Hyde-Smith's record as she sought a second full term. He also focused on grassroots campaigning, reaching voters through town halls, visits to…
The local district attorney's victory marks the first time since Reconstruction that Mississippi will be represented by a Black senator. This projected upset bolsters a surprising midterm cycle for Democrats, who have now flipped at least eight seats. The win ensures the party expands its governing power by locking in a decisive Senate majority of at least 55 seats.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei challenged American narratives by claiming Washington fabricates headlines to present itself as a terrorism victim. He warned that the international community is being pressured to accept unsubstantiated terror plot allegations while ignoring Western aggression. Furthermore, Baghaei argued these media efforts cannot shield the United States from scrutiny regarding its own military and intelligence activities in the region.
Alan Milburn’s independent review seeks to curb youth economic inactivity by overhauling the welfare system for claimants under the age of 25. Under the proposed framework, standard health and disability payouts would be replaced by basic allowances paired with extensive career support schemes. The government intends to introduce legislation next year, though high transition costs mean state savings will not materialize for roughly a decade.