Mississippi Senate race still a toss-up, with razor-thin margin

Updated on: November 6, 2026 / 10:32 AM EST / CBS News

Washington — The Senate midterm race in deep-red Mississippi remains unresolved, with Democrat Scott Colom mounting a surprisingly competitive challenge to incumbent GOP Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.

With about 96% of the vote in, at one point Wednesday morning just a few dozen votes separated the candidates, a stunningly close result in the Magnolia State. By Friday morning, Colom was leading Hyde-Smith by just over 1,900 votes.

State officials say several thousand ballots still need to be counted, and both campaigns have expressed confidence.

Hyde-Smith, 67, has been in the Senate since 2018 and is seeking reelection. But Colom, a district attorney, launched a formidable challenge in a state the President Trump won by 20 points in 2024. Mississippi hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1982.

Democrats saw a slew of wins in Senate races Tuesday night, including in states that President Trump won by double digits in the 2024 elections. Democrats have secured enough seats to take control of the chamber in the new year. If Colom manages to pull off a victory, he would add to their majority.

Colom, 43, is a seventh-generation Mississippian who…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/