Mississippi’s senior U.S. senator, Republican Roger Wicker, is offering congratulations to Democrat Scott Colom, who voters elected to become Mississippi’s new junior senator starting in January.
“Congratulations to Senator-elect Scott Colom. Mississippi voters have spoken, and they have honored you with the privilege to represent the state we love,” Wicker wrote on social media. “I look forward to working together for the good of Mississippi and the United States.”
Although Mississippi has the highest Black population per capita of any state, Colom will be only the third Black U.S. senator from Mississippi in history and the first since 1881. He is also the first Black U.S. senator from the Magnolia State to be elected by popular vote; the first two, Republicans Hiram Revels and Blanche K. Bruce, were chosen by the state legislature during Reconstruction.
When Bruce took the oath of office, Mississippi’s white senior U.S. senator, Republican James Lusk Alcorn, refused to escort Bruce down the Senate aisle to be sworn in on March 5, 1875—breaking Senate tradition. Instead, as Bruce walked the aisle alone, Sen. Roscoe Conkling of New York stepped forward to accompany him to the podium. Afterward, Alcorn offered Bruce no mentorship, nor any semblance of a working relationship.
Colom appears set to have a more collegial relationship with Wicker, who supported former President Joe Biden’s decision to nominate him to a federal court in 2023. But Mississippi’s other Republican U.S. senator, Cindy Hyde-Smith, blocked Colom’s nomination; Colom then ran against Hyde-Smith and defeated her on Nov. 3.
In his statement, Wicker expressed his gratitude to Hyde-Smith for her service.
“Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith: On behalf of all Mississippians, I say thank you. For a quarter of a century, you have devoted yourself to public service,” Wicker wrote. “Mississippi farmers and outdoorsmen are better off because of you. Our rural hospitals, small businesses, and energy producers are more secure. You have protected our natural resources and championed our growing economy. I am grateful for your efforts to help Mississippi reach its potential now and in the years to come.”
