Barack Obama Endorsed Scott Colom in Mississippi Senate Race
Former President Barack Obama is backing district attorney Scott Colom in his challenge against incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Elections
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Former President Barack Obama has officially endorsed Mississippi district attorney Scott Colom in his bid for the United States Senate. The campaign launched a seven-figure media buy featuring the endorsement to bolster support for Colom.
Why it matters
Barack Obama stated that Mississippi needs a change in representation in the Senate as Colom attempts to close a polling gap against the Republican incumbent. The endorsement seeks to energize voters in the final weeks of the campaign.
A Data for Progress poll conducted in August showed Scott Colom trailing Cindy Hyde-Smith by 6 percentage points. The campaign has initiated a seven-figure paid media buy, including a $1,350 purchase to air a 30-second spot on WCBI in Columbus.
The players
Barack Obama
He is the former President of the United States who served two terms from 2009 to 2017.
Scott Colom
He is a Mississippi district attorney who is currently running for a seat in the United States Senate.
Cindy Hyde-Smith
She is the incumbent Republican senator representing the state of Mississippi.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States.
Cory Booker
He is a United States Senator from New Jersey who has actively campaigned for fellow Democrats.
The details
The campaign released a 30-second video featuring Barack Obama speaking directly to the camera to support Colom. High-profile Democrats, including Cory Booker, Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Angela Alsobrooks, have also joined the campaign trail to advocate for the challenger.
Timeline
March 2025: Donald Trump endorsed Cindy Hyde-Smith for reelection.
August 2026: Sen. Angela Alsobrooks campaigned with Scott Colom.
October 2, 2026: Sen. Cory Booker campaigned in Gulfport, Mississippi.
October 12, 2026: Barack Obama endorsement ad released and aired.
Political Context
The Democratic endorsement follows the 2025 endorsement of Cindy Hyde-Smith by Donald Trump, illustrating the intense partisan polarization in Mississippi's current Senate race. Republican leadership maintains that Hyde-Smith's record aligns with the state's conservative electorate.
The intensified campaign activity may lead to an increase in political advertising across local broadcast and digital platforms as election day approaches. Voters should monitor their local candidate filings to see how these campaign contributions influence policy platforms in the state.
The takeaway
The entry of a former President into the race signals a significant mobilization effort by the Democratic party to flip the seat. Voters should expect heavy media saturation as both campaigns utilize their remaining funds in the closing stretch.
Further reading
For more background on the state's upcoming races, visit Mississippi Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mississippi Clarion Ledger.
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