How Scott Colom defied the odds to go from district attorney to Mississippi's Democratic US Senator

Nov 12, 2026 · Elise Catrion Gregg

Originally published by NPR News Read the original

How Scott Colom defied the odds to go from district attorney to Mississippi's Democratic US Senator

Scott Colom speaks as he gives an update on state of Senate race against Cindy Hyde-Smith November 4, 2026 in Jackson, Mississippi.

In a state that hasn't had a Democrat in office since 1980 and hasn't sent a Black Senator to Washington since the 1870s, Colom's win represents a massive upset in state politics.

(Image credit: Rogelio V. Solis)