Summary
- Scott Colom, Democratic DA in Mississippi, is running for U.S. Senate.
- He challenges incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in 2026.
- Colom criticizes Hyde-Smith’s support for Trump’s deficit-deepening bill.
- He promises higher wages and tax relief for teachers, law enforcement.
In a video announcing his campaign on Wednesday, Colom attacked Hyde-Smith for supporting President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill," a comprehensive package of legislation that included tax breaks, Medicaid cuts, and additional funding for deportations and national security.
“Her last vote is going to run up our debt, kick over 100,000 Mississippians off their healthcare and put our hospitals at risk all so billionaires in California and New York can get a tax break,”
Colom said of Hyde-Smith in his announcement video.
“That’s not who I am.”
Colom added that he will work to remove income taxes for police enforcement and educators.
Colom is running alongside Ty Pinkins, a former Democrat who declared earlier this year that he would run against Hyde-Smith as an Independent. Pinkins is a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Colom's campaign did not get any direct funding from Soros.
“We welcome Scott Colom to the race and congratulate Senator Chuck Schumer and national Democrats on their recruit,”
Nathan Calvert, the communications director for Hyde-Smith’s campaign, said in a statement.
“Make no mistake — Mississippians know the difference between conservative values that work and the liberal Biden/Colom policies that have failed us.”
Colom wrote to Hyde-Smith to try to change her mind, saying he didn't ask Soros for the money and didn't realize it would go to his campaign.
After Colom signed a letter in June 2021 denouncing attempts to ban gender-affirming care for transgender individuals, she also chastised Colom for failing to support “legislation to safeguard female athletes."
In a state where Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature and all statewide positions, Colom is attempting to flip a seat. The state has seen Democrats trying to establish themselves in recent years. In 2023, Gov. Tate Reeves was re-elected with just over 51% of the vote in a close gubernatorial contest with Democrat Brandon Presley.
What key issues is Colom highlighting against Hyde-Smith?
Colom takes Hyde-Smith to task for approving legislation tied to former President Trump. Colom argues that it would saddle the nation with an unsustainable national debt, toss 100,000 plus Mississippians off healthcare coverage, and enrich billionaires with tax breaks. For these reasons, he supports a Mississippi first approach by raising wages, raising the minimum wage, and extending federal tax exemptions to all teachers and law enforcement.
Colom criticizes Hyde-Smith for voting against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which helped address magnolia state sore spots, including the Jackson water crisis. He makes a pledge to think about healthcare and hospitals in Mississippi.
Colom portrays himself as a practical Democrat that is focused on Mississippi, who cares more about what is best for Mississippi than necessarily being a follower of the party.