Colom files to challenge Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith

COLUMBUS, Miss. – District Attorney Scott Colom officially filed paperwork today to launch his campaign for the United States Senate, setting the stage for a challenge against incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in the upcoming election.

Colom, a prosecutor and seventh-generation Mississippian, is positioning his campaign on a platform of economic pragmatism and healthcare reform. In his announcement, he emphasized a desire to move beyond partisan gridlock, pledging to prioritize state interests over “DC politics.”

“Mississippians deserve a Senator who will put them first,” Colom said in a statement following the filing. “Families are working harder than ever while costs continue to rise, our hospitals are at risk of closing, and Cindy Hyde-Smith has turned her back on the very people who sent her to the U.S. Senate.”

Focus on Healthcare and Economy

The Colom campaign has outlined a strategy focused on three primary issues: lowering costs for working families, bringing jobs back to the state, and preventing the closure of Mississippi hospitals. The latter is a particularly resonant issue in the state, where rural healthcare systems have faced significant financial instability in recent years.

“Next November, we are going to win this race and show the country that Mississippi Matters,” Colom said.

Background and Bipartisan Pledge

Currently serving as a district attorney, Colom cites his record of fighting violent crime and ensuring public safety as a qualification for higher office. He describes his leadership style as guided by his Christian faith and a commitment to serving neighbors.

In a move to appeal to the state’s broad electorate, Colom stated he is willing to work with “anyone, Republican or Democrat,” to pass legislation beneficial to Mississippi.

The race is expected to draw national attention as Colom attempts to unseat Hyde-Smith, who has held the seat since 2018.