Mississippi AFL-CIO Celebrates Scott Colom’s Senate Victory

Mississippi's historic U.S. Senate election is drawing reactions from labor leaders who say the results reflect growing concerns about wages, healthcare and the cost of living.

Mississippi AFL-CIO President Mickey Carr released a statement celebrating Democrat Scott Colom's victory over Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in the state's closely contested Senate race.

The Associated Press called the election for Colom on Wednesday, November 11, following several days of counting absentee and provisional ballots.

Colom's victory makes him Mississippi's first Black U.S. senator since Reconstruction and the first Democrat elected to represent the state in the Senate since 1982.

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Carr said the labor organization supported Colom because of concerns about the financial challenges facing working families.

"Workers are struggling to afford the basics. Paychecks are barely stretching to the end of the month," Carr said.

The union leader also criticized what he described as the influence of wealthy campaign donors and called for improvements in workplace safety, wages and healthcare affordability.

According to Carr, union members played an active role in the election by calling voters, knocking on doors and serving as election observers after Election Day.

"That mobilization has paid off," Carr said, describing Colom as a representative the organization believes will prioritize working people.

Carr also emphasized the role of organized labor in Mississippi's economy and expressed the union's intention to work with the senator-elect.

"Workers power this state and are the backbone of our economy, not the billionaires," Carr said.

The statement reflects the Mississippi AFL-CIO's priorities as Colom prepares to represent the state in Washington.