Senate Democrats are making a bold move in Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race. The Senate Majority PAC, affiliated with Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, plans to invest $1.2 million in television advertising. This effort supports Scott Colom, a district attorney challenging Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.
This ad campaign starts Wednesday and will run through Election Day. According to Senate Majority PAC spokesperson Lauren French, Colom is running a tight race, keeping Hyde-Smith on the defensive.
The impact of this ad remains uncertain, especially with two weeks left in the race. Colom has outspent Hyde-Smith, recording $4.6 million compared to her $3.2 million, based on AdImpact data.
Jake Monssen, Hyde-Smith’s campaign manager, remarked that this late spending might not sway voters. “Team Cindy is confident that voters will reject this radical agenda on November 3rd,” he stated.
Hyde-Smith’s Re-Election Challenge
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is seeking re-election in a Republican stronghold. Mississippi heavily favored Republican Donald Trump in the last presidential race, where he led Democrat Kamala Harris by nearly 23 points.
Despite this, Democrats sense that Hyde-Smith might be vulnerable. In 2020, she underperformed Trump by 6 points, a year when Joe Biden won the presidency. The latest ad underscores Colom’s record and criticizes Hyde-Smith’s legislative inactivity.
Colom’s Support and Democratic Hope
Colom’s momentum is attributed to widespread local engagement. “Thousands of Mississippians volunteered and contributed,” his campaign manager Gerard Henderson noted.
Prominent Democrats have rallied behind Colom. Recently, Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock and Vice President Kamala Harris have campaigned with him, bolstering his bid.
Political Landscape and Democratic Strategy
With Republicans holding a slim 53-47 Senate majority, and some facing tough re-election battles, Democrats find opportunities. High costs and geopolitical issues provide a challenging backdrop for Republicans.
The Senate Majority PAC is diversifying its efforts, including spending in Kansas, supporting Democrat Adam Hamilton against Republican Sen. Roger Marshall.
If victorious, Colom would be Mississippi’s first Black senator since Reconstruction. The Democratic effort highlights criticism of national groups not investing enough in Southern races. As Sen. Warnock expressed, there are concerns over missed opportunities in the South.