Full Breakdown
Obama Endorses Scott Colom in Mississippi Senate Race
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Former President’s Television Spot
Former President Barack Obama released a 30-second advertisement supporting Democratic Senate candidate Scott Colom in Mississippi. The spot, aired digitally, on radio and on the CBS affiliate WCBI, is part of a seven-figure media purchase intended to boost turnout in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1982.
Background & Context
Mississippi’s Senate seat is held by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R), who is seeking a second full term. The state is traditionally Republican; the last Democratic senator left office in 1982. Colom, the district attorney for Mississippi’s 16th District, was twice nominated by former President Joe Biden for a federal judgeship, but his nominations were blocked by Hyde-Smith and Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) through the Senate “blue-slip” tradition. National Democrats have targeted the race because of Mississippi’s sizable Black electorate and the potential to flip a seat needed for a Senate majority.
Data & Statistics
- Polling: An August survey by Data for Progress of just over 1,000 Mississippians shows Colom trailing Hyde-Smith by roughly six percentage points.
- Media spend: The campaign allocated $1,350 for a single Monday broadcast on WCBI; the overall media buy is described as “seven-figure.”
- National outlook: Decision Desk HQ assigns the Democratic Party a 56 % chance of regaining Senate control, while its Mississippi average gives Hyde-Smith a 93 % probability of retaining her seat.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) – Joined Colom on the campaign trail in Gulfport, emphasizing the race’s national significance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “So much in this great state and in our nation is going to depend upon the outcome of this race,” — Cory Booker, Democratic Senator
What’s Next
The general election is scheduled for early November 2026, with both campaigns intensifying outreach in the weeks leading up to the vote. Obama’s ad began airing in mid-October, and additional national Democratic figures are expected to appear at campaign events as the final stretch approaches.