Mississippi Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Scott Colom, right, is greeted by his former English professor, Anne MacMaster, during a visit to Millsaps College, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Jackson, Miss. Colom, a graduate of the liberal arts college, thanked the students and faculty for their support in the general election. MFP Photo by Rogelio V. Solis
Oktibbeha County has released the results of the provisional ballot count in Mississippi’s razor-thin Senate race between incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democratic challenger Scott Colom. Out of 503 total processed affidavit ballots, Colom received 401 votes, Hyde-Smith received 96, and independent Ty Pinkins took only five.
That 80%-19% margin of victory is a dramatic departure even from the regular ballot results for Colom in the county—previously, AP reported Colom led Hyde-Smith 60% to 38.9%. Oktibbeha thus adds to Colom’s growing lead as the closest Senate race in the 2026 elections nears the final count. Across the state, counties that have reported affidavit ballot results have shown Colom outperforming in affidavit ballot margins releative to his overall vote margins. Hyde-Smith was counting on performing well in affadavit ballots to help her regain her lead, but that has not happened.
In 2024, Oktibbeha was a red county, going 49.1% in favor of President Donald Trump against former Vice President Kamala Harris, reflecting the stark nationwide revolt against the Republican Party in this year’s midterm elections.
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.
State Reporter Heather Harrison has won more than a dozen awards for her multi-media journalism work. At Mississippi State University, she studied public relations and broadcast journalism, earning her Communication degree in 2023. For three years, Heather worked at The Reflector student newspaper: first as a staff reporter, then as the news editor and finally, as the editor-in-chief. This is where her passion for politics and government reporting began.
Heather started working at the Mississippi Free Press three days after graduation in 2023. She also worked part time for Starkville Daily News after college covering the Board of Aldermen meetings.
In her free time, Heather likes to sit on the porch, read books and listen to Taylor Swift. A native of Hazlehurst, she now lives in Brandon with her wife and their Boston Terrier, Finley, and calico cat, Ravioli.
