Democrats Flood Mississippi Senate Race with $1.2M Ad Blitz

Key points

• Senate Majority PAC announced a $1.2 million ad campaign in Mississippi, the first major Democratic spending push in the state.
• The campaign features a 30-second spot portraying Colom as a prosecutor fighting corruption and Hyde-Smith as a 'do-nothing' incumbent.
• Democrats need a net gain of four seats to win the Senate, prompting investment in states Trump won by double digits in 2024.
• Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg are scheduled to campaign alongside Colom in the coming weeks.
• Hyde-Smith’s campaign dismissed the spending, calling Colom 'too liberal' and citing his support for transgender surgeries and open borders.

Background

Mississippi has not elected a Democratic senator since 1982. Previous coverage noted that Sen. Raphael Warnock and other Democrats had been pushing for more investment in the race, arguing the party was underinvesting in the South. Colom, a district attorney, launched his campaign after Hyde-Smith voted to support Trump’s tax and spending law, which cut Medicaid funds. Hyde-Smith previously blocked Colom’s nomination for a federal judgeship during the Biden administration.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and Politico both confirmed the $1.2 million ad buy by Senate Majority PAC, emphasizing the strategic shift toward deep-red states. Politico noted that some Senators, including Raphael Warnock and Ruben Gallego, had pushed for more party investment, while the Hyde-Smith campaign dismissed the competitiveness of the race. Axios highlighted a separate $7 million ad blitz by Steve Pajcic’s New Deal for All PAC in Mississippi, Florida, Kansas, and South Carolina, noting that Pajcic used AI to calculate ad allocations and did not consult Democratic Party leaders. The Hyde-Smith campaign criticized the Democratic spending as a 'radical agenda,' while Colom’s campaign cited the investment as proof of momentum.

Why it matters

The Democratic investment in Mississippi signals a broader strategy to flip Senate seats in deep-red states amid declining approval ratings for President Trump. Success in such states could be crucial for Democrats to regain control of the Senate, which requires a net gain of four seats. The race also highlights the party’s willingness to invest in long-shot opportunities, potentially reshaping the political landscape in the South.

What to watch

Senate Majority PAC will continue its ad campaign through Election Day, with additional digital and TV spots planned. Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg are expected to campaign in Mississippi in the coming weeks. The Hyde-Smith campaign will likely respond with counter-messaging, while Colom’s campaign aims to maintain momentum. The outcome of the race will be a key indicator of Democratic success in deep-red states.