How investing in the South could help Democrats win a durable majority, says Sen.-elect Scott Colom
A Mississippi Senate shift
Colom, a Democrat from Mississippi, discussed the need for greater party investment in the South during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” He said Democrats should not allow the lack of investment in the region to continue. His projected victory over incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith marked a major political change for Mississippi. The state had not elected a Democrat to the Senate in 44 years and had not sent a Black senator to the chamber since Reconstruction.
A majority with one race pending
Colom’s projected win brought Democrats to a 55-seat Senate majority, while the Alaska Senate race had yet to be called. He urged the party to put senators like him in positions to deliver for the rural South. Colom said such leaders could demonstrate to voters in rural America and the Deep South that Democrats want their communities to succeed.
Prices and wages priorities
In the same interview, Colom named reshaping tariff policies as his top priority for reducing prices. He also backed raising the federal minimum wage, which stands at $7.25 an hour. The minimum wage has not increased since 2009.
Key points
- Colom called for more Democratic investment in Southern states, including Mississippi.
- His projected win over Cindy Hyde-Smith helped Democrats reach 55 Senate seats, with Alaska still undecided.
- Colom said tariff policy changes are his top priority for reducing prices.
- He also called for raising the $7.25 federal minimum wage, unchanged since 2009.