U.S. Senate · Mississippi

Statewide

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

✓ Fact-checked 2026-09-25: 30 claims re-checked against their sources · 1 corrected · 0 removed

A second, independent research pass re-opened every cited source for this race and corrected or removed anything the source didn’t support.

  • Colom's dedicated Ballotpedia page calls his office the '16th Judicial District' without listing counties; his Wikipedia page corroborates '16th Circuit' plus Clay/Lowndes/Noxubee County case references. Added Wikipedia as a supporting source (s9) for the '16th Circuit Court District (Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, and Oktibbeha counties)' description rather than removing it, since it is a low-stakes, well-established biographical fact.

On the ballot · 3 candidates

Where they stand — side by side

Only positions documented in a cited source are shown. Where an officeholder’s recorded votes speak to an issue, the votes set the position (marked “votes”). A dash means we found no clear public position — not that the candidate has none.

ISSUECindy Hyde-Smith
R
Scott Colom
D
Ty Pinkins
IND
Stricter gun lawsOpposes[4]——
Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsSupports[10][11][12]votes——
Raise taxes on high earners or corporationsOpposes[11][12]votes——
Expand public health coverageOpposes[11][12]votesSupports[6]Supports[8]
Faster transition away from fossil fuelsOpposes[11][12]votes——
Broad tariffs on imported goodsSupports[13][14]votes——

The candidates, in full

Cindy Hyde-Smith

RINCUMBENTU.S. Senator (since 2018)

Won the March 10, 2026 Republican primary

Cindy Hyde-Smith is the incumbent U.S. Senator from Mississippi, appointed in 2018 to fill Thad Cochran's seat, elected to complete his term later that year, and elected to a full term in 2020. She previously served as Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce (2012-2018) and in the Mississippi State Senate (2000-2012).[3]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Key votes in Congress

  • YesConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — Senate passage · H.R. 7148 · Bill Passed 71–29 · 2026-01-30 roll call ↗The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
  • YesNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Motion Agreed to 77–20 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. This vote sent the House-Senate compromise version to the President, who signed it into law the next day.
  • YesContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Bill Passed 60–40 · 2025-11-10 roll call ↗The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. Eight members of the Democratic caucus joined nearly all Republicans to pass it.
  • NoWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela — motion to discharge · S.J. Res. 90 · Motion to Discharge Rejected 49–51 · 2025-11-06 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 90 would have directed the President to end military hostilities within or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized, after U.S. strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the region. A motion to discharge the resolution from committee failed, blocking a vote on final passage.
  • NoResolution to end the global tariff emergency · S.J. Res. 88 · Joint Resolution Passed 51–47 · 2025-10-30 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 88 terminates the national emergency the President used to impose broad tariffs on imports from most countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Unlike an earlier April 2025 attempt, this resolution passed the Senate, though it still required House and presidential action to take effect.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — Senate passage · H.R. 1 · Bill Passed 50–50 · 2025-07-01 roll call ↗H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and increases border security and defense spending. It reduces projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adds new work requirements; Vice President Vance cast the tie-breaking vote.
  • NoWar Powers Resolution on Iran — motion to discharge · S.J. Res. 59 · Motion to Discharge Rejected 47–53 · 2025-06-27 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 59 would have directed the President to end U.S. military hostilities against Iran that Congress had not authorized, following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities earlier that month. A motion to discharge the resolution from committee failed, preventing a vote on final passage.
  • YesGENIUS Act — Senate passage · S. 1582 · Bill Passed 68–30 · 2025-06-17 roll call ↗The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation to clear Congress.
  • NoResolution to end the global tariff emergency · S.J. Res. 49 · Joint Resolution Defeated 49–49 · 2025-04-30 roll call ↗S.J.Res. 49 would have terminated the national emergency the President declared in April 2025 to impose broad tariffs on imports from most U.S. trading partners. The resolution failed on a tied 49-49 vote.
  • YesFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 — Senate passage · H.R. 1968 · Bill Passed 54–46 · 2025-03-14 roll call ↗The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
  • YesConfirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary · PN Kennedy · Nomination Confirmed 52–48 · 2025-02-13 roll call ↗The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, overseeing federal health, food-safety, and drug-regulatory agencies. Senator Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote against the nomination.
  • YesConfirmation of Pamela Bondi as Attorney General · PN Bondi · Nomination Confirmed 54–46 · 2025-02-04 roll call ↗The Senate confirmed Pamela Bondi, Florida's former attorney general, to serve as U.S. Attorney General, leading the Justice Department. The vote fell largely along party lines.
  • YesConfirmation of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense · PN Hegseth · Nomination Confirmed 50–50 · 2025-01-24 roll call ↗The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard officer, to serve as Secretary of Defense. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote after three Republican senators joined all Democrats in voting against the nomination.
  • YesLaken Riley Act — Senate passage · S. 5 · Bill Passed 64–35 · 2025-01-20 roll call ↗The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.

Positions on the issues

  • OpposesStricter gun laws

    Holds an enhanced-carry permit and describes herself as a strong advocate for the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.[4]

  • SupportsExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-20). Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations.[10][11][12]

  • SupportsBroad tariffs on imported goodsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Resolution to end the global tariff emergency (S.J. Res. 49, 2025-04-30). Voted no on Resolution to end the global tariff emergency (S.J. Res. 88, 2025-10-30).[13][14]

  • OpposesExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements.[11][12]

  • OpposesFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits.[11][12]

  • OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-07-01), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent.[11][12]

In their words — priorities

  • Supports federal policies to foster economic growth and job creation in Mississippi, including the 2017 tax cuts.[4]
  • Supports the state's agriculture and forestry industries, citing her background as a cattle farmer and former state agriculture commissioner.[4]
  • Supports rebuilding U.S. infrastructure.[4]

Background

  • Served in the Mississippi State Senate representing District 39 from 2000 to 2012.[3]
  • Served as Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce from 2012 to 2018.[3]
  • Appointed to the U.S. Senate by Gov. Phil Bryant in 2018 to fill the seat of Thad Cochran, then won a special election that November and a full term in 2020.[3]
  • Is a cattle farmer by profession.[4]

Campaign money

Raised $3.8M · spent $1.8M · $2.5M cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Scott Colom

DDistrict Attorney, Mississippi 16th Circuit Court District

Won the March 10, 2026 Democratic primary

Scott Colom is the elected District Attorney for Mississippi's 16th Circuit Court District (Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee, and Oktibbeha counties). He was twice nominated by President Biden to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, but his nomination was not confirmed by the Senate. He is running for U.S. Senate as the Democratic nominee.[5][6][9]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsExpand public health coverage

    Campaign site lists saving Mississippi's rural hospitals as a core priority.[6]

In their words — priorities

  • Says he is running to lower costs for Mississippi families.[6]
  • Says he wants to save Mississippi's rural hospitals.[6]
  • Says he wants to bring jobs home to Mississippi.[6]

Background

  • Earned a bachelor's degree from Millsaps College (2005) and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School (2009).[5]
  • Elected District Attorney for Mississippi's 16th Circuit Court District.[5]
  • Nominated by President Biden to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi in 2022 and again in 2023; the nomination was not acted on by the Senate and lapsed.[5]
  • Describes himself as a seventh-generation Mississippian; his mother, Dorothy Colom, was the first African American elected to her region's Chancery Court.[6]

Campaign money

Raised $2.4M · spent $1.5M · $847K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Ty Pinkins

INDAttorney

Ty Pinkins is a Mississippi attorney and U.S. Army veteran (21 years of service, including three combat tours) running as an independent for U.S. Senate. He previously ran for U.S. Senate as a Democrat in 2024 and for Mississippi Secretary of State in 2023.[7][8]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsExpand public health coverage

    Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey lists expanding access to affordable healthcare, especially in rural areas, as a passion.[8]

In their words — priorities

  • Says the two-party system has "stopped working for too many Americans" and is running as an independent so Mississippi has "a senator who answers to the people, not party bosses or political establishments."[8]
  • Says he is passionate about expanding access to affordable healthcare, especially in rural areas.[8]
  • Says he wants to ensure veterans receive the benefits, care, and support they earned.[8]

Background

  • Born and raised in Rolling Fork, Mississippi.[7]
  • Served 21 years in the U.S. Army, including three combat tours, and served as a White House Communications Aide.[7]
  • Earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus (2012), a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center (2020), and an LL.M. in national security law from Georgetown (2021).[7]
  • Has worked as an attorney with the Mississippi Center for Justice.[7]

Campaign money

Raised $98K · spent $98K · $5,352 cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Research notes & limits

Basic-tier research. Scott Colom has not completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey; his positions are drawn from his campaign website. Hyde-Smith and Colom's federal key votes and FEC finance totals are added separately by script.

Sources · 14

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.United States Senate election in Mississippi, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
  2. 2.Mississippi Senate Democratic primary results, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
  3. 3.Cindy Hyde-Smith · Ballotpedia Reference
  4. 4.Issues · Office of Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith Candidate's own words
  5. 5.Scott Colom · Ballotpedia Reference
  6. 6.Scott Colom for Senate · Colom for Senate campaign site Candidate's own words
  7. 7.Ty Pinkins · Ballotpedia Reference
  8. 8.Ty Pinkins - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
  9. 9.Scott Colom · Wikipedia Reference
  10. 10.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — Senate passage · U.S. Senate · 2025-01-20 Official record
  11. 11.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — Senate passage · U.S. Senate · 2025-07-01 Official record
  12. 12.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
  13. 13.Roll call: Resolution to end the global tariff emergency · U.S. Senate · 2025-04-30 Official record
  14. 14.Roll call: Resolution to end the global tariff emergency · U.S. Senate · 2025-10-30 Official record