Mississippi elects Democrat Scott Colom as a US senator, in photos

Mississippi has elected its first Black U.S. senator since post-Civil War Reconstruction and delivered Democrats a major upset in a rocky midterm election for the GOP. Scott Colom defeated Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in the Deep South state that has been controlled mostly by white conservatives for generations. Colom noted Mississippi's civil rights history in his Wednesday night victory speech but pledged to represent all Mississippians. The Associated Press called the contest Wednesday evening. Hyde-Smith posted a concession video on social media. National and Mississippi Democrats are celebrating the win as a seismic shift in the state and region. Colom capitalized on the state’s large Black population, discontent with the economy and Hyde-Smith’s mistakes.

Scott Colom's election win in Mississippi means he will be the first Black man to represent the Deep South state in the U.S. Senate in nearly 150 years. Black voters say that, in itself, is historic and could signal change in the state burdened by a legacy of racial oppression and violence. Colom was declared the winner Wednesday following last week's midterms that saw Black people across the South elected to seats in Congress and statewide and local offices. Voters add that Colom's win was helped by white Mississippi voters who blame entrenched Republicans for current economic woes, including the high cost of food and gas.