Democrat Scott Colom defeats Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi Senate race

Democrat Scott Colom defeated Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi's Senate election, becoming the first Black senator from the state since the 19th century and expanding the Democratic Senate majority to 55 seats.

Nine days after the US midterm elections, one of the last two Senate races was decided: Democratic candidate Scott Colom defeated incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi. The victory gives Democrats their 55th seat in the Senate, while Republicans hold 44 seats. Colom, a 46-year-old district attorney, is the first Democrat Mississippi has sent to the Senate since 1982 and the first black senator since 1874, when freed slave Blanche Bruce was elected. Mississippi is considered a conservative stronghold, and Colom managed to unseat Hyde-Smith amid voter frustration over the cost of living and fuel prices. His campaign gained attention after Hyde-Smith said in an interview that voters have "many protein sources to choose from" in response to high meat prices, and Colom turned the remark into a viral ad. Colom has pledged to focus on the cost of living, healthcare, and fighting corruption.