Scott Colom declared victory in the Mississippi Senate race, according to The Guardian. He defeated Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, with the result confirmed eight days after election day.
This brings the Democratic majority in the new US Senate, which convenes in January, to at least 55 seats. A victory for Democrat Mary Peltola in Alaska, where she is leading in the vote count, would bring the majority to 56 seats.
Celebration in Jackson
Colom addressed supporters in Jackson, Mississippi, at a victory celebration held at Tougaloo College. He was first introduced by his wife, Nadia Colom, who played a central role in his campaign, including a series of successful biographical ads. He was then introduced by Congressman Bennie Thompson, who stated: "From my perspective, I now have a partner in Washington."
Colom began his speech with the words: "For me, this journey began with a prayer, folks." He added: "And in Mississippi, our prayers have often changed the course of history." He recalled Hiram Revels, the first African American in the US Senate, who was a minister in Natchez, Mississippi, and elected to the state House of Representatives. Someone suggested that Revels give the opening prayer, and Colom said the prayer was so powerful that people at the convention concluded he had the voice to become a US senator. Revels thus became the first Black American in the Senate.
Historical context
Colom highlighted the faith and work of civil rights activists such as Medgar Evers, Frank Figgers and Fannie Lou Hamer. "In Mississippi, local people make the difference. Not just those who end up in history books," he said. Colom is the first Black senator ever directly elected by Mississippi voters and the first Black senator in that body since 1881. The last Democrat to win a Senate race in that state, in 1982, was a white segregationist.
Promise to voters
He concluded his speech with a promise to the voters who supported him and those who did not. "I want to offer a final word to every Mississippian – those who voted for me, those who did not, and those who did not vote," he said. "My obligation to you, each and every one of you, is that I will first treat your children the way I want my children to be treated. Your parents the way I want mine. Your future the way I want my own."
He added: "My obligation is to be someone who stays in prayer, has faith and works to make the life of every Mississippian better. That is what you get." He also said: "I make a solemn pledge to every Mississippian here today, in every decision I make. I will never forget the most important thing: Mississippi matters." Finally, on stage with his wife and daughters, he said: "God bless, we did it!" Most of the crowd was on their feet to see their elected senator.
Hegseth impeachment
In a separate development in Washington, some of the 11 Democrats who missed a key procedural vote on Tuesday regarding the impeachment of Pete Hegseth blamed traffic congestion in Washington for not arriving at the Capitol on time. Republican members of the House voted 211-204 to send the articles of impeachment to the judiciary committee, effectively halting the effort to remove Hegseth.
Meanwhile, a US military guard guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sharply reprimanded US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, his wife and aides after part of the group laughed near the memorial. The guard shouted: "All visitors must maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."
