Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Kamala Harris congratulated Democrat Scott Colom after his win in the state’s U.S. Senate race.
The Associated Press called the contest for Colom on Wednesday, more than a week after Election Day. Colom, a district attorney in Mississippi’s 16th Circuit Court District, defeated Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who had President Donald Trump’s backing.
Clinton said Colom had poured his energy into the campaign because he believed in Mississippi and its people. He added that he was proud to have supported him and congratulated him on the victory.
Colom is the first Democrat elected to a Mississippi Senate seat since 1982. The last Democrat to serve the state in the Senate was the late John Stennis, who held office from 1947 to 1989.
Reeves congratulated Colom and said he hoped they could work together on issues including supporting families, creating jobs and improving education. Colom thanked the governor and said he looked forward to working with him on matters important to Mississippi.
Colom will also become the third Black person to serve as a U.S. senator from Mississippi. He is the first Black senator elected by voters in the state and the first since Reconstruction. The two Black men who served before him were chosen by the state legislature, before the 17th Amendment established the popular election of senators.
Harris said Colom’s win made history and praised him as a capable leader and dedicated public servant. She said she had seen his commitment firsthand while campaigning with him in his hometown.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont also congratulated Colom, pointing to his campaign pledges to challenge major technology companies, wealthy interests and corruption in Washington.
