Democrat Scott Colom Wins Mississippi Senate Race, Set to Become State’s First Black Senator in Over 140 Years

Democratic candidate Scott Colom has been projected to win a US Senate seat in Mississippi, a state historically known for its conservative political leanings, according to US media projections released on Wednesday.

His victory would make him Mississippi's first African-American senator in more than 140 years.

Colom, a lawyer by profession, defeated Republican incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in the race.

Reacting to the initial results, Colom praised Mississippi's progress and its long-standing struggle for civil rights for the Black community.

Addressing his supporters, he said, “Mississippi, our prayers have often changed the course of history. God did not want us to get this easily. He wanted us to achieve it the Mississippi way.”

According to projections by major US news networks, including CNN, NBC and CBS, Colom's victory brings the number of Democratic seats in the 100-member Senate to 55, while Republicans hold 44 seats.

The outcome of one Senate race in Alaska remains undecided.