Colom's Mississippi Senate lead grows to 4,404 votes
What's next: Fewer than 15,000 ballots remained to process, with affidavit and timely mailed absentee votes due by Tuesday's deadline.
Democrat Scott Colom widened his lead over Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi's unresolved Senate race to 4,404 votes Wednesday afternoon, according to the Associated Press. With an estimated 99% of ballots counted, Colom held 49.18% to Hyde-Smith's 48.72%, while independent Ty Pinkins had 2.1%. Colom's margin grew as officials processed more affidavit ballots, including a batch from Hinds County, home to Jackson. The AP estimated fewer than 15,000 ballots were still left to be processed. If elected, Colom would become the first Black senator from Mississippi since Reconstruction. The race is one of only two Senate contests still uncalled, along with Alaska.