In a surprising turn in Mississippi's Senate contest, Democrat Scott Colom has stretched his lead over Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith to more than 3,000 votes, according to the latest tally from Decision Desk HQ. With roughly 95% of ballots counted as of Monday night, Colom stood at 49.11% (470,266 votes) versus Hyde-Smith's 48.79% (467,183 votes). Independent Ty Perkins trails with 2.1%.
The updated count arrives just ahead of a Tuesday deadline for provisional ballots and for mail-in absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day to be received. The outcome could hinge on these remaining ballots, making the race one of the closest and most closely watched in the country.
Colom, a Black attorney from Columbus, has defied expectations in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the Senate in decades. His resilience has stunned political observers and energized Democrats, who saw sweeping victories in last week's midterms. The race remains too close to call, but Colom's persistence has forced Republicans to defend a seat they once considered safe.
On Monday, Colom took aim at political forecasters, particularly the Cook Political Report, for labeling his campaign as a long shot. In a social media post, he argued that such ratings hindered his fundraising and discouraged support for Southern Democratic candidates. “At some point, we have to talk about … ‘prognosticators’ who had me and other southern candidates labeled as solid R for much of the campaign cycle,” he wrote. “They made it much more difficult to fundraise and are part of the reason the South has been neglected for so long. They're only a reflection of the past and mysteriously avoid any accountability when they're wrong.”
Hyde-Smith, meanwhile, has remained publicly optimistic despite the tightening numbers. Her campaign has signaled confidence that the remaining ballots could shift the outcome in her favor, echoing the optimistic tone she struck earlier as the race remained uncalled.
The Mississippi Senate race is one of two undecided Senate contests. In Alaska, former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola has expanded her lead over Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, holding 49% to his 47.2% with 245,470 ballots counted, according to unofficial results. Alaska's ranked-choice system will trigger an instant runoff if no candidate reaches 50% of first-choice votes, with the process repeating until a majority emerges.
Both races carry significant implications for the Senate's balance of power. While Democrats have already secured control of the chamber, the outcomes in Mississippi and Alaska will determine the final margin and could affect committee assignments and legislative strategy.
Colom's surge has drawn national attention, with some analysts comparing it to the wave of young candidates reshaping Congress. His campaign has focused on economic issues, healthcare, and voting rights, tapping into frustration with the status quo in a state where many voters feel neglected.
As the Tuesday deadline approaches, election officials in Mississippi are preparing to process provisional and mail-in ballots. The state's Republican Senate arm has already moved to preserve ballots in the narrowing race, signaling potential legal challenges if the margin remains tight.
For now, Colom's narrow lead offers Democrats a glimmer of hope in a historically red state, while Hyde-Smith's team braces for a possible recount or extended legal fight. The final result may not be known for days, but the political stakes are already clear.
