Mississippians rally in support of Scott Colom for U.S. Senate as election day closes in
BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV) — We are in the last stretch as the November 3 election draws nearer. Vying for Mississippi’s U.S. Senate seat is Scott Colom, running against Republican Incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Independent Candidate Ty Pinkins.
Just one week out from the November 3 midterm elections, around 1,000 Mississippians filled the Saint John Community Center in Biloxi to show their support for Democratic nominee Scott Colom in the race for Mississippi’s U.S. Senate seat. And standing in support of Colom is former Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg.
“It doesn’t matter what part you usually come from. The people of Mississippi do not want a senator who votes ‘Yes’ to increasing the deficit for tax breaks for billionaires, but votes ‘No’ on infrastructure. They’re fed up with the corruption. They’re fed up with the cuts to healthcare that are gonna take down rual hospitals, so this is a very important environment for us to be competing in,” said Buttigieg. “The only thing we gotta do is just show up. Scott Colom has stepped up to run. People like me need to show up to be helpful. The more that we invest here, the more I think we can demonstrate that this does not belong to one political party or another.”
Colom says the large turnout at the rally shows that, in quote, “Mississippi is changing.”
Colom, a current district attorney, criticized opponent Cindy Hyde-Smith over her legislative record and encouraged Mississippi Democrats to turn the historically red state blue. Its an election that could change Mississippi’s history if Colom comes through with the win, as he would be the state’s first Black U.S. Senator since reconstruction and first Democrat to hold the seat since 1989.
“Our country will never reach its potential if it forgets places like Mississippi. If you don’t understand that kids in Mississippi deserve a good education, get public health, good opportunity, then the country doesn’t have those things either,” said Colom. “We’re a barometer for the country. When Mississippi does well, the country does well. When the country forgets Mississippi, eventually it impacts the country. So, this is a very important moment. I’m glad the people of Mississippi earned this – they earned this potential. I don’t want it to be too much about me. The people did this.”
Colom and Buttigieg both appealed to the crowd that it’s “time to choose a different senator.” Colom’s team is expecting this will be a very close race and is encouraging voters to go to the polls November 3 to vote for the changes they are hoping to see in Mississippi’s future.
“If you want somebody who’s gonna fight to raise minimum wage, fight for lower cost, protect healthcare, protect the hospitals, stop corruption, actually represent our values, actually be America first – vote for Scott Colom. The choice is clear,” Colom said.
