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How Scott Colom defied Democratic doubters to make Mississippi a battleground
CNN • • nation
Key Points:
- Democrat Scott Colom is challenging GOP Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi, aiming to become the first Black senator from the state since Reconstruction and the first Democrat to win the seat since 1982.
- Colom’s campaign gained momentum through strong grassroots efforts, high Black voter turnout, and support from national Democrats including Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton.
- The race saw significant outside spending favoring Colom, with Democrats outspending Republicans $9 million to $3.9 million in the final two weeks, and viral ads capitalizing on Hyde-Smith’s controversial remarks.
- Despite Mississippi’s deep-red history, Colom’s persistent campaigning revealed cracks in Trump’s support base, energizing voters who previously felt their votes didn’t matter.
- As vote counting continues, the race is seen as a potential political earthquake in Mississippi, possibly reshaping the state's political landscape for decades.
