Senate Majority PAC Launches $1.2M Mississippi Ad Campaign to Support Scott Colom

Key points

• Senate Majority PAC, aligned with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, announced a $1.2 million ad campaign in Mississippi through Election Day.
• The campaign features a 30-second spot highlighting Scott Colom’s background as a prosecutor and criticizing incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith as a 'do-nothing' lawmaker.
• Mississippi is the reddest state targeted by the PAC, having been won by President Trump by 23 points in 2024.
• Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats to regain majority control, prompting focus on states Trump won by double digits in 2024.
• Colom, a former district attorney, cited Hyde-Smith’s vote to cut Medicaid funds as a catalyst for his 2026 candidacy.
• Hyde-Smith, who holds Trump’s endorsement, has refused to debate opponents and has not held town halls during her tenure.

Background

Mississippi has not elected a Democratic senator since 1982, making the current race a significant outlier in the 2026 midterms. Previous coverage noted that Colom was leveraging national anti-Republican sentiment and local issues like healthcare to position the race as a viable upset. While Republicans have outspent Democrats in nearly every competitive Senate race, this new Democratic ad blitz represents a strategic shift to target deep-red states where Trump’s approval ratings have declined. The broader midterm context includes a massive poll-watching drive by Democrats to counter potential federal election interference and disinformation campaigns.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and AP News emphasize the strategic significance of the Senate Majority PAC’s entry into Mississippi, highlighting it as the reddest state targeted by the group and a key battleground for flipping the Senate majority. The New York Times focuses on the historical and symbolic implications, questioning whether Mississippi could elect its first Black senator since Reconstruction, and frames Colom’s campaign as a potential 'realignment' in a state that has not elected a Democratic senator in 44 years. The Commercial Dispatch takes a strong editorial stance, endorsing Colom without reservation and criticizing Hyde-Smith’s legislative record and lack of accessibility, arguing that Republican voters deserve better representation. While NBC and AP focus on the financial and strategic aspects of the campaign, the NYT and Commercial Dispatch emphasize the candidate’s personal qualities and the historical significance of the race.

Why it matters

The launch of a major Democratic ad campaign in Mississippi signals a shift in strategy for the 2026 midterms, targeting deep-red states where national sentiment may be shifting against the incumbent party. Success in Mississippi could be a bellwether for broader Democratic gains in the Senate, as the party seeks to flip multiple seats to regain majority control. The race also highlights the importance of local issues, such as healthcare and judicial appointments, in driving voter engagement in traditionally Republican states.

What to watch

The Senate Majority PAC will continue its $1.2 million ad campaign in Mississippi through Election Day, focusing on TV and digital platforms. The race will likely see increased attention from both parties as the election approaches, with potential debates and further advertising from Republican-aligned super PACs. The outcome of the Mississippi race could influence Democratic strategy in other deep-red states, such as Kansas, Alaska, Texas, and Iowa, where the party is also targeting seats for flip.