Democrat Scott Colom defeated Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi, CNN projected Wednesday. The Associated Press has not called the race.
Why it matters: Mississippi has not elected a Democratic senator since John C. Stennis in 1982. Colom, a local prosecutor, led in no cited pre-election poll.
Where they split: Outlets differ on why Colom won: Black turnout and civil rights history, Republican voter discontent over costs and Iran, or forecasters underrating Southern races.
Center coverage, 15 sources: The center frames Colom as a long-shot winner whose result challenges forecasters and could open the South to Democrats.
Left coverage, 17 sources: The left treats the win as decisive and ties it to Mississippi's civil rights history and the fight for Black voting access.
Right coverage, 6 sources: The right covers the result as a historic projection, noting that the AP had not called it and that pre-election polls favored Hyde-Smith.
What’s next: Counties must certify complete results to the secretary of state by Friday.
