History in Mississippi: First Black Democrat Senator in Decades

Democratic candidate Scott Colom has won the Senate race in the state of Mississippi, as reported by Maariv and N12. Colom defeated incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in a contest described as exceptionally tight, with a margin of only half a percent. The victory, called eight days after election day, is considered a historic achievement in the deep-red state. Colom is the first Black senator to represent Mississippi since the late 19th century and the first Democrat elected there since 1982. In his victory speech, Colom said, "God did not want us to have it the easy way." Further details regarding the impact of the victory on the Senate balance of power have not yet been released.