Politics Morning Star
Mississippi elects first black senator since 19th century
VOTERS in Mississippi have elected their first black US senator since the 19th century, handing a surprise victory to the Democratic Party. Scott Colom emerged as the winner on Wednesday after a prolo
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Scott Colom emerged as the winner on Wednesday after a prolonged ballot count showed that he had defeated Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.
His victory, in a state controlled mostly by white conservatives for generations despite having the largest share of black residents in the country, adds to a decisive midterm rebuke of President Donald Trump, whose party suffered defeats in several Republican-controlled states.
“All I did was have the courage to imagine a night like this,” Mr Colom told a crowd of hundreds who gathered at Tougaloo College for his victory party.
“I had the courage to believe in Mississippi. I had the courage to understand that we can show the country that Mississippi matters.”
The last time Mississippi chose a new Democratic senator was 1947, but the winner then was an uncompromising racial segregationist.
Mr Colom, a 43-year-old local prosecutor, capitalised on the state’s large black population, discontent with the economy and Ms Hyde-Smith’s missteps as she sought a second full term.
“They actually deserve a senator that will listen to them, that actually cares about what they think, actually cares about what they’re going through,” Mr Colom said in the campaign’s closing stretch.
When Mr Trump visited Corinth, Mississippi, in late October for a rally with Ms Hyde-Smith, Mr Colom walked along the queue of Trump supporters waiting to enter the event, introducing himself and asking about their concerns.
Later, when the president called Ms Hyde-Smith to the stage, she merely said: “Is this not the best president in our lifetime?” before stepping away.
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