Scott Colom is a seventh-generation Mississippian born and raised in Columbus. He is the son of retired Judge Dorothy Colom (first African-American elected to her region's Chancery Court) and Wilbur Colom (an attorney and former Republican Reagan administration employee). Colom earned his law degree and has served as a prosecutor, judge, and since 2015 as District Attorney for the 16th Judicial District (Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, Oktibbeha counties). He achieved a 94-96% conviction rate, prosecuted corrupt sheriffs, and solved record numbers of cold cases. He was nominated by President Biden in November 2022 to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi but had his nomination blocked by Hyde-Smith's refusal to return her 'blue slip' in 2023. He is married with two daughters and is a lifelong member of Missionary Union Baptist Church.
Colom is a lifelong Mississippian and member of a prominent political family. His mother was a groundbreaking judge; his father worked in Republican administration but is an attorney. He was born in Columbus and elected District Attorney in 2015 at age 32, unseating a 27-year incumbent on a reform platform. He is known for criminal justice reform, cold case solving, prosecuting corrupt officials, and exonerating wrongly convicted defendants. He represents a new generation of Democratic leadership in a heavily Republican state.
Expand Medicaid and protect healthcare
Primary campaign focus on saving Mississippi hospitals and expanding access. Criticized Hyde-Smith's votes affecting health insurance availability.
Voting History: As District Attorney, supported criminal justice reform and healthcare access advocacy; no Senate voting record
Support working families and criminal justice reform
Emphasized need for good jobs, fair wages, and protections for working people. 94%+ conviction rate focused on violent crime prosecution.
Voting History: Prosecuted corrupt officials and violent criminals; won major cases protecting vulnerable populations
Support transgender rights; opposed criminalization of gender-affirming care
Signed letter condemning criminalization of gender-affirming surgery. NRSC characterized this as supporting 'radical transgender agenda.'
Voting History: Signed prosecutors' letter on gender-affirming care; supported transgender students' bathroom access (per Hyde-Smith's claims, disputed by Colom)
Colom has no U.S. Senate voting record as he is not an incumbent. As District Attorney since 2015, he has a reputation for reform, securing 94-96% conviction rates while also exonerating wrongly convicted individuals and prosecuting corrupt law enforcement.
| Bill | Title | Vote | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judicial Nomination by President Biden | U.S. District Court for Northern District of Mississippi | Blocked by Hyde-Smith blue slip refusal | 2023 | Biden nominated Colom; senior senator Wicker approved; past Republican governors Barbour and Bryant supported it; but Hyde-Smith refused blue slip, citing Soros funding and transgender issues |
Colom's communication emphasizes unity, Christian faith, and pragmatism. He frames himself as an 'independent thinker' willing to work with Republicans. His tone is less partisan than Hyde-Smith's, though his 'fake call' parody drew criticism for being misleading. Overall messaging focuses on constituent needs rather than partisan attacks.
Campaign launch announcement and platform messaging emphasizing 'Mississippi Matters' and focus on costs, hospitals, jobs, healthcare
Campaign launch video and subsequent updates on policy priorities
View post →Staged fake phone call to 'wish Hyde-Smith good night' (later clarified as parody)
TikTok trend parody that drew criticism from Republicans who filed criminal complaints
Colom is 'funded by George Soros' and has a 'radical transgender agenda'
Hyde-Smith used these claims to justify blocking his judicial nomination in 2023; NRSC repeated this attack during general election
Colom 'championed the left's radical transgender agenda' and 'wants men in women's bathrooms'
Partisan attack framing his support for gender-affirming care as extreme
Colom is not effective and fails to put Mississippi first
Similar attack themes during primary season, though Adlakha was defeated by Hyde-Smith