6 November 2026
HATTIESBURG, MS – Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race is still too close to call two days after the election. Democrat Scott Colom leads Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by about 1,700 votes, with thousands of ballots still to be counted. Hyde-Smith’s lawyers told every county, including all nine in the Pine Belt, to set aside affidavit ballots. Also tonight: state tax money is running $202.8 million ahead of estimates, former Hinds County DA Jody Owens got 41 months in federal prison, Southern Miss enrollment dipped slightly, and the Golden Eagles are hosting James Madison on ESPN2.
Who is winning Mississippi’s Senate race?
No one has been declared the winner yet. As of Thursday afternoon, Colom had 466,226 votes (49%) and Hyde-Smith had 464,502 (48.9%), a gap of 1,724 votes, WDAM reported. WDAM said the race still had not been called. The Secretary of State’s office says nearly 3,600 mail-in absentee ballots are still out, Magnolia Tribune reported. The Tribune also noted unconfirmed reports of up to 18,000 affidavit ballots that still need to be cured. Voters have until Tuesday to fix problems with their ballots, WBUR reported.
Why it matters here: If you voted by affidavit in Forrest, Lamar, Jones or any other Pine Belt county, your ballot may not count until you follow up with your circuit clerk’s office. Call your county circuit clerk before Tuesday to ask whether you need to bring ID or other papers. For local results, see our Thursday Pine Belt headlines and our report on Wayne County turnout.
What did Hyde-Smith’s lawyers ask counties to do?
Lawyers for the Hyde-Smith campaign sent a letter to all Mississippi county election commissioners and circuit clerks, WDAM reported. The letter asks counties to keep affidavit ballots separate from other ballots, record what happens to each one and keep all related records. It cites state law and says the steps “must not delay lawful tabulation, prevent the counting of any legally cast ballot, or compromise ballot secrecy.” Counties were asked to confirm by 5 p.m. Thursday. State GOP Chairman Mike Hurst called the letter “standard procedure for an election this close,” according to WDAM. Colom campaign manager Gerard Henderson called it “a desperate stunt from national Republicans.”
The NAACP also said Thursday it sent national legal, policy and field staff to Mississippi to help voters with ballot cure rules, WLBT reported. Why it matters here: The letter went to every county, so election officials in all nine Pine Belt counties are under the same instructions as they finish counting.
Did Ty Pinkins play spoiler?
Independent candidate Ty Pinkins, who drew nearly 20,000 votes, says he pulled more votes from Hyde-Smith than from Colom, Magnolia Tribune reported. “70% of my voters were Republicans and that would benefit Scott Colom and that’s what you see now,” Pinkins said, according to the Tribune. He also said 77% of his votes came from traditionally Republican counties. There is no specific Pine Belt angle here. This is statewide news worth knowing as the count goes on.
How is Mississippi’s budget doing?
State tax collections are $202.8 million, or 8.13%, above estimates four months into the fiscal year, Magnolia Tribune reported. October alone came in $79.5 million over the estimate. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee and Gov. Tate Reeves set next year’s revenue estimate at $7.8 billion. Reeves said “overall tax revenues continue to grow.” Why it matters here: That $7.8 billion estimate is the figure lawmakers will use when they write the next state budget. That budget pays for Pine Belt public schools, Southern Miss, the community colleges and state road work.
What happened in the Jackson bribery case?
Former Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens was sentenced Thursday to 41 months in federal prison and fined $100,000, Magnolia Tribune reported. Owens pleaded guilty to conspiracy in June. He reports to prison Jan. 4. In the same case, U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan said guidelines point to 37 to 46 months for former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, WLBT reported. Lumumba is set to be sentenced Nov. 20. There is no direct Pine Belt angle. This is statewide news worth knowing.
Is Southern Miss enrollment up or down?
Southern Miss enrolled 13,118 students this fall, down 73 students, or 0.6%, from last year, according to the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. Total enrollment at the state’s public universities was 81,771, down 0.2%. IHL released the numbers Monday. Why it matters here: Student numbers at Southern Miss affect Hattiesburg apartments, restaurants and shops. A small dip means the campus is holding about steady.
Are the Golden Eagles playing tonight?
Yes. Southern Miss (3-5, 2-2 Sun Belt) hosts James Madison (7-2, 4-2 Sun Belt) tonight at Renasant Stadium in Hattiesburg, SuperTalk Mississippi reported. Kickoff was 7 p.m. Central on ESPN2. The game was still underway when this report was written. Why it matters here: It is a national TV home game on a Thursday night, so expect game-night traffic near the Southern Miss campus.
FAQ
Has the Mississippi Senate race been called?
No. As of Thursday afternoon, Colom led Hyde-Smith by 1,724 votes, and the race had not been called, WDAM reported.
When is the deadline to fix an affidavit ballot?
Tuesday, according to WBUR. Call your county circuit clerk to learn what you need to bring.
How much is Mississippi over its revenue estimate?
$202.8 million, or 8.13%, four months into the fiscal year, Magnolia Tribune reported.
How many students does Southern Miss have this fall?
13,118, according to IHL.