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BEAUFORT, SC · LOWCOUNTRY EDITION · THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026
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Colom Holds Narrow Lead Over Hyde-Smith

Published November 5, 2026 at 9:21 am | By HERE City National Desk, Staff Reporter

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JACKSON, Miss. — Democrat Scott Colom held a lead of just over 1,100 votes over Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith early Thursday, with the Mississippi U.S. Senate race still uncalled two days after the election.

With about 96% of the vote counted, Colom had 49% to 48.9% for Hyde-Smith. On Wednesday morning the gap had shrunk at one point to a few dozen votes.

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The final margin could take days or longer to settle. Under Mississippi law, mail ballots postmarked by Election Day can still arrive and be counted for five more days, and officials must also decide which provisionally cast ballots qualify. The trailing candidate could seek a recount.

Colom, 43, is a district attorney who ran on cost of living and health care. Hyde-Smith, 67, was appointed to the seat in 2018 and wants another six years. A win by Colom would be striking in a state President Trump carried by 20 points in 2024 and that has not sent a Democrat to the Senate since 1982.

The outcome will not decide control of the chamber, but it would set the size of the new Democratic majority. Alaska’s Senate race also remained uncalled Thursday.

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Section: More Beaufort SC politics news

Filed under: Beaufort SC Politics News

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HERE is a staff reporter for HERE Beaufort covering local news, community stories, and developments across Beaufort County. HERE is committed to accurate, community-first journalism.

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