Columbus-based District Attorney Scott Colom has made his bid for U.S. Senate official.
Weeks after Mississippi House Minority Leader Robert Johnson hinted that Colom is a candidate both state and national Democratic leadership are pushing to challenge incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, Colom confirmed his entrance into the 2026 race through a Wednesday morning announcement video.
“For the last 10 years, I’ve worked as the district attorney in northeast Mississippi, where I’ve won 94% of my trials and solved a record number of cold cases. But the best crime stopper is a job and education,” Colom said in the video. “Cindy Hyde-Smith doesn’t get that, because she’s too concerned about her job in D.C.”
Using the video to share policy ideas such as boosting wages and eliminating income tax on teachers and law enforcement while also taking jabs at Hyde-Smith, Colom promised to work across the aisle if it results in legislation bettering everyday life in Mississippi – especially in regard to healthcare, a category the state consistently ranks among the worst in.
He voiced concerns over Hyde-Smith’s vote in favor of President Donald Trump’s deficit-deepening domestic policy package, which could result in thousands of Mississippians losing government-provided healthcare coverage and hospitals being hit with major funding gaps.
“I will work with anyone, from any party, to save Mississippi’s hospitals, which Cindy Hyde-Smith put on the chopping block. Look, I’m tired of Mississippi getting the short end of the stick. I know we can do better,” he continued.
Colom, who spoke alongside family members in the announcement video, said they’re one of the main reasons he’s decided to run. Coming from a political family, his father is a Democrat-turned-Republican who worked for President Ronald Reagan and his mother is a retired chancery court judge.
He also has two daughters, who he coaches in soccer, and a wife Nadia.
“I’m Scott Colom, this is my family, and I’m running for Senate to make life a little bit easier for yours. Because Mississippi matters. I hope you’ll join me,” he said before his daughters ended with the video with a joint “That’s a wrap!”
Trailblazing DA
Colom, a graduate of Millsaps College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, quickly ascended through the legal field after attaining his degrees. At just 28 years old, he was appointed as a Lowndes County interim justice court judge, becoming the youngest and first Black man to hold the position.
At 31, he became the first Black city prosecutor in his hometown of Columbus before announcing his bid for district attorney in the 16th Circuit Court District that includes Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Clay, and Noxubee counties. He defeated 27-year incumbent Forrest Allgood for the position in 2015, becoming the first Black DA for the district.
Colom, now 42, has been DA for nearly a decade and has received bipartisan support on the way being reelected twice.
“Scott has emphasized the importance of preventing crime by making sure criminals know they will be held accountable – and also pushing for more jobs and opportunities, which he knows is the best way to prevent crime,” Colom’s campaign team wrote in a news release.
He’s won 94% of his trials since becoming DA, including convictions in 15 high-profile murder cases and holding a sheriff accountable for trading favors for sexual materials from inmates.
History between Colom, Hyde-Smith
While Colom still has to win the Democratic primary and Hyde-Smith the Republican primary to face off in the general election, both are favorites among their parties. The two have a history, as well.
In 2022, Colom was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi before his promotion was squashed when Hyde-Smith blocked a confirmation vote. At the time, her GOP chamber counterpart, Sen. Roger Wicker, was in favor of Colom’s nomination, but she cited concerns over Colom’s political beliefs and campaign donations from left-leaning billionaire George Soros.
Busying field
With party primaries less than seven months away, a bevy of candidates are lining up for a shot at Hyde-Smith’s seat. Hyde-Smith, who already has the backing of Trump, is seeking her second full term.
In addition to Colom on the Democratic side, Albert Littell has also announced his intention to run. Littell is a Marine Corps veteran with extensive experience in public service and lives in Long Beach, according to his campaign website.
Challenging Hyde-Smith on the Republican side are Andrew Scott Smith and Sarah Adlakha. Smith, who missed on trying to take Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson’s seat in 2024, owns a financial services business. Adlakha is a physician and business developer.
Then, running as an independent, Ty Pinkins is once again seeking office. The former Democrat is a Delta-based attorney who previously ran unsuccessful races for Mississippi secretary of state and U.S. Senate against Wicker.
Primary races for Hyde-Smith’s seat and all four of the state’s U.S. House seats will be held March 10 with April 7 reserved for potential runoffs. The general election is slated for Nov. 3, 2026. Wicker will not be on the ballot as Senate seats are staggered. He won a full term in 2024, defeating Pinkins handily.
