Democrat Scott Colom widens lead over Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith as Mississippi voters keep counting every ballot
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Scott Colom’s margin over incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith has grown to more than 3,000 votes as absentee and affidavit ballots continue to be counted in Mississippi, underscoring how every remaining ballot could matter in a closely watched race.
Democrat Scott Colom has widened his advantage over incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in the Mississippi Senate race, with the gap now exceeding 3,000 votes, according to the latest count in Hinds County. The expanding margin reflects a count that is still unfolding as election workers process absentee and affidavit ballots that could further shape the result.
County officials reported that 67 mail-in absentee ballots processed on Wednesday gave Colom 61 votes, while Hyde-Smith and independent candidate Pinkins each received three. In addition, 817 affidavit ballots are being counted, and the county has already tallied about 8,000 absentee ballots. These outstanding ballots remain the focus as officials continue the painstaking count.
Circuit Clerk Zack Wallace said the county expects to certify its results by Thursday morning, and the statewide certification deadline is set for Friday.
"The reality is that she can’t point to a direction where she has a possibility to win. If she truly has the ability to win, explain how," Colom said, adding that he is confident the lead will become "insurmountable" once all affidavit ballots are counted.
Sen. Hyde-Smith, who returned to Washington for work on Tuesday, said her campaign was strong and expressed confidence while votes remain to be counted, even as the numbers continue to move against her.
"I’m thinking that we worked very hard and had a very good campaign," Hyde-Smith said. "We are still counting votes. There are a few thousand out, and we feel confident."