JACKSON, Miss.—Scott Colom was declared the winner of Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race in the late afternoon of Nov. 11, becoming Mississippi’s first Black senator since Hiram Revels left the chamber in 1881. 

As Colom addressed the assembled crowd at Tougaloo College, he told them that he was thinking of Medgar Evers, the famed civil rights leader who was shot and killed in the driveway of his Jackson home 63 years ago.

“He had faith that Mississippi could make progress. He had faith that one day everybody would have the right to vote. He had faith that a day like this was possible.” 

Here are some photos from the celebration of Colom’s historic victory.

Nadia Colom holding a microphone and speaking with a crowd behind her
Standing before a group of college student volunteers, Nadia Colom, wife of Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom of Mississippi, addresses supporters during a Wednesday night victory celebration at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
Mike Espy posing for a photo with a woman
Former U.S. Rep. Mike Espy, D-Miss., center, poses for a photograph with a supporter of Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom, at a Wednesday night victory celebration at Tougaloo College, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. Colom unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
Two young girls holding their hands to their hearts and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
Gwendolyn, left, and Brooklyn Colom, daughters of Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom lead the assembled in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to start the Wednesday night victory celebration at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. Colom unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.(MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
A man holding up a white Scott Colom campaign sign that reads “Senator-Elect Scott Colom”
American gospel and contemporary Christian music singer Brian Courtney Wilson waves a celebratory sign touting the win of Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom, as he performs at the Wednesday night victory celebration at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. Colom unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
Bennie Thompson speaking at an event for Senator-elect Scott Colom
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., speaks at the victory celebration for Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom Wednesday night at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
A group of women smiling among a crowd of people
Supporters of Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom, express their happiness at a Wednesday night victory celebration at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. Colom unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis 
A woman wearing black t-shirt that reads “I Fight For Voting Rights” dancing
A supporter of Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom, dances prior to the start of a Wednesday night victory celebration at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. Colom unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
Two women high-fiving each other while another woman near them looks on
Karla Smith of Jackson, left, laughs as her friends Rhonda Williams of Brandon, center, and Vonda Reeves of Jackson exchange a “high five” at the victory celebration for Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom of Mississippi, at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. Colom unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
A woman with short grey hair and a blue jacket dancing
Supporters of Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom, dance during a Wednesday night victory celebration at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. Colom unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
A woman wearing a shirt with several campaign buttons attached to it
A campaign button laden supporter of Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom, listens to his speech at a Wednesday night victory celebration at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. Colom unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
Scott Colom reaching a hand out to a supporter in the crowd
Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom of Mississippi, reaches out to shake a supporter’s hand during a Wednesday night victory celebration at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
A woman holding up a blue-and-white Scott Colom campaign sign that reads “Picked Another Senator”
A supporter of Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom holds a sign at a Wednesday night victory celebration at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. Colom unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
A woman holding up a blue-and-white Scott Colom campaign sign that reads “Picked Another Senator”
A supporter of Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senator-elect Scott Colom holds a sign at a Wednesday night victory celebration at Tougaloo College, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. Colom unseated incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
A close-up of Nadia Colom on stage, one hand on her chin in thought
Scott Colom’s wife, Nadia Colom, looks on during his U.S. Senate victory party in Jackson, Miss., on Nov. 11, 2026. MFP Photo by Nick Judin
A large crowd of people at an outside event at night
A large crowd of people gathered to hear Senator-elect Scott Colom speak after he was declared the winner in his U.S. Senate race on the evening of Nov. 11, 2026 in Jackson, Miss. MFP Photo by Nick Judin
A hand holds up a blue-and-white Scott Colom campaign sign that reads “Picked Another Senator”
Scott Colom’s campaign ad “Pick Another Senator” captured the attention of the United States during Colom’s campaign against Cindy Hyde-Smith. Colom celebrated his victory with a new phrase: “Picked Another Senator.” Signs were handed out during his victory celebration in Jackson, Miss., on Nov. 11, 2026.
Scott Colom greeting people and raising his left hand to wave
Scott Colom is Mississippi’s first Black U.S. Senator since the days of Reconstruction, the first Democrat elected from Mississippi to the chamber since the 1980s and the first Black Senator popularly elected. Here he greets people at his victory celebration in Jackson, Miss., on Nov. 11, 2026. MFP Photo by Nick Judin
Scott Colom holding a microphone and speaking at a podium with a crowd behind him
Scott Colom is the first Democrat to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Mississippi since 1982, when John C. Stennis was elected to his final term. Colom is pictured addressing the audience at his victory celebration in Jackson, Miss., on Nov. 11, 2026. MFP Photo by Nick Judin

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Investigative Reporter Nick Judin joined the Jackson Free Press in 2019, initially covering the 2020 legislative session before spearheading the outlet's COVID-19 coverage. Now at the Mississippi Free Press, his award-winning coverage of the Jackson Water Crisis, mass evictions in rural Mississippi, and the Trump administration's deportation regime has earned international recognition. He continues to travel the state, covering poverty, corruption, infrastructure and immigration.

Rogelio V. Solis is Mississippi Free Press' new senior photojournalist. A veteran journalist, Solis most recently served 28 years as the staff photographer with the Jackson bureau of The Associated Press.