Scott Colom could make history in Mississippi after facing off against the senator who blocked his judicial nomination

Prior to the midterms in Mississippi, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith rejected President Biden’s nomination of Scott Colom for district attorney.

Mississippians and communities around the country are watching the final countdown of the state’s Senate race between Democratic candidate Scott Colom and incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. However, this is not the first time the two have faced off. 

In 2023, President Joe Biden nominated Colom, who was a district attorney at the time, to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi. However, Hyde-Smith blocked Biden’s nomination, by not submitting a “blue slip” to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. In her refusal, the Republican senator cited issues with Colom’s support of transgender rights. Submitting a “blue slip” is the process by which the Senate Judiciary Committee advances a nominee for possible confirmation to a U.S. circuit or district judgeship. If a Senator from the nominee’s state does not submit a slip, the confirmation is prevented.

“I visited with the District Attorney recently, and I recognize that he is smart and well liked in his district,” the Republican senator said at the time, per the Mississippi Free Press. “However, there are a number of concerns I have regarding his record. As someone with a strong interest in protecting the rights of girls and women, I am concerned about Scott Colom’s opposition to legislation to protect female athletes.” 

“I simply cannot support his nomination to serve on the federal bench in Mississippi for a lifetime,” she added.

Colom came recommended to President Biden by U.S. House Rep. Bennie Thompson in 2021. A year later, the president nominated him. Despite Hyde-Smith’s opposition, the Biden administration continued its support of Colom. At the time, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden is “going to stick with” Colom and that he “was very proud to choose someone who is deeply qualified, dedicated to our Constitution, and who received the backing of Republicans and Democrats in Mississippi.”

“So, it is unfortunate, sadly, that regardless of being duly consulted—consulted well in advance and despite Senator Wicker returning a blue slip, Sen. Hyde-Smith is preventing the people of Mississippi from having a judge in place in a timely fashion to uphold the rule of law for her state,” Jean-Pierre said.  “So, you know, furthermore, Sen. Hyde-Smith never raised these issues before today, over the course of months, including when she met with Mr. Colom several—several weeks ago and never suggested any alternative candidates.” 

Fast forward, almost three years later, Colom and Hyde-Smith are head-to-head in a nail-biting race for Mississippi’s Senate seat. With nearly 96% of the votes counted, the counties across the state are counting and verifying thousands of provisional ballots before calling the race. Colom is currently in the lead by 1,724 (49%), per AP News, and if he wins, he would become Mississippi’s first Black Senator since Blanche K. Bruce held the position in 1881 and the first time the state has elected a democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1982.