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Politics

Mississippi Senate race stays unresolved with razor-thin margin between candidates

With 96% of the vote in, Democrat Scott Colom and Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith remain separated by a razor-thin margin.

Published Nov 4, 2026 · 19:36 UTC12 reports

Latest update: Mississippi election officials confirmed the state has no formal recount process as mail ballots may arrive through November 10, 2026.

The short version

  • The Mississippi Senate race between Democrat Scott Colom and incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is still unresolved.[CBS News · ABC News]
  • Colom said early Wednesday that results were trending his way, according to his remarks.[CBS News]
  • Mississippi has no formal recount process, and candidates cannot request one or trigger one automatically.[ABC News]
  • Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day can arrive until November 10, 2026, under state rules.[ABC News]

Key facts

  • Democrat Scott Colom and incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith remain unresolved in the Mississippi Senate race with 96% of the vote in.[CBS News · ABC News]
  • Mississippi has no formal recount process, and candidates cannot request a recount or have one triggered automatically.[ABC News]
  • Mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day can arrive up to November 10, 2026, under Mississippi rules.[ABC News]
  • Colom said early Wednesday that results were trending in his direction and that his campaign was winning in counties where it was not expected to compete.[CBS News]
  • Independent candidate Ty Pinkins said he believed he split the Republican vote rather than acting as a spoiler for the Democrat.[CNBC]

What remains uncertain

  • The race has not been called, and the final outcome depends on counting that is not yet complete.[CBS News · ABC News]
  • Colom's statement that results are trending his way reflects his own assessment and is not independently confirmed in the reporting.[CBS News]
  • Pinkins's claim that he split the Republican vote, rather than spoiling for the Democrat, is his own characterization and is not verified in the reporting.[CNBC]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.