SPECIAL MIDTERM ELECTION REPORT
Federal Level
Colom Wins Mississippi Senate Seat After Long Count
The Associated Press on Wednesday declared Democrat Scott Colom the winner of Mississippi’s U.S. Senate race, defeating Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith after more than a week of counting absentee and provisional ballots. The AP made its call at 5:58 p.m. EST after Jackson County reported 2,173 additional votes, which put Colom ahead by 4,669 votes out of 962,237 counted. Colom, a 43-year-old prosecutor, will be Mississippi’s first Black senator since Reconstruction. The last time the state chose a new Democratic senator was 1947. His victory expands the Democratic majority in the new Senate to 55 seats, while the race in Alaska remains undecided.1, 2
Hyde-Smith Concedes and Congratulates Colom in Video
Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith conceded Mississippi’s Senate race on Wednesday evening, first in a phone call to Democrat Scott Colom and then in a two-minute video posted to social media. “While this is not the outcome we worked for or hoped for, I respect the decision of Mississippi voters,” she said. She congratulated Colom and wished him well as he takes on the job of representing the state. Hyde-Smith said she is most proud of helping farmers and veterans, opposing abortion rights and securing federal money for Mississippi. She and her advisers had previously not ruled out legal action if Colom was declared the winner.2, 1
White House Warns Democrats Over Planned Trump Probes
The White House on Wednesday warned Democrats that their planned investigations of President Trump could cross into criminal conduct, as the party prepares to take control of Congress in January. House Democrats are preparing a broad oversight agenda that would examine how Trump and his family have become wealthier since he returned to office. Trump and his administration have long denied any wrongdoing. Rep. Robert Garcia, who will likely chair the House Oversight Committee next year, said Trump “is clearly hiding something” and needs to understand that Congress is a coequal branch. Rep. James Comer, the committee’s current Republican chair, said the panel is “very independent.”2
Recount Confirms Joe Wilson Win in South Carolina
A recount completed early Wednesday confirmed the reelection of Republican Rep. Joe Wilson in South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District. Final results released around 1 a.m. put Wilson at 49.80 percent and Democrat Zyon Khalifa at 48.85 percent, a margin of 2,840 votes. “Following the recount, I am grateful to declare victory and thank the voters of South Carolina’s Second Congressional District for their continued trust,” Wilson said. Khalifa, a 25-year-old lawyer from Aiken, raised $29,039, while Wilson raised more than $1 million. Khalifa announced that he intends to run again in 2028. President Trump won the district by about 14 points in 2024.3, 4
State Level
Crowley Names Jeff Pertl as Wisconsin Chief of Staff
Wisconsin Governor-elect David Crowley announced on Wednesday that Jeff Pertl will serve as his chief of staff. Pertl most recently served in Gov. Tony Evers’ cabinet as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. “Jeff Pertl brings an incredible depth of experience, a strong understanding of state government, and a deep commitment to serving Wisconsin families,” Crowley said. He also named Thad Nation, founder of Nation Consulting, as director of his transition team. The co-chairs include Greater Milwaukee Foundation chief executive Greg Wesley and former Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry. Crowley said he is preparing his administration to deliver for Wisconsin “from day one.”5
Acton Names Co-Chairs to Lead Ohio Transition Team
Ohio Governor-elect Amy Acton on Wednesday announced three co-chairs and a senior staff for her transition, which is led by chair John Haseley. Elisabeth Hire, who served as chief of staff to Acton’s campaign, will oversee operations. Gale King, a retired Nationwide executive, will lead talent, and Janetta King, a former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Ted Strickland, will lead policy. According to the announcement, the team will prepare the new administration to lower costs for working Ohioans and fully fund public schools. “I look forward to working alongside this team as we fight every day to deliver solutions for working Ohioans,” Acton said.6
Blackburn Names Ward Baker to Chair Her Inauguration
Tennessee Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn on Wednesday announced the leadership team for her 2027 inauguration and named longtime adviser Ward Baker as chairman. Baker, a former executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, served as senior adviser to her 2026 campaign for governor and to her 2018 and 2024 Senate campaigns. Amy Pass, who oversaw fundraising for the governor’s race, will serve as executive director. Jim Haslam will serve as honorary co-chair, joined by inaugural co-chairs from the Tri-Cities, Chattanooga, Nashville and Memphis. Blackburn said the inauguration will celebrate “the people of Tennessee.” Details on events and tickets will be announced in the coming weeks.7
Recount Confirms Caskey Loss in South Carolina House
A recount finished early Wednesday confirmed that Democrat Joe Madge defeated South Carolina state Rep. Micah Caskey, a West Columbia Republican who had recently been named majority leader. Madge, an engineer, won the House District 89 race by 106 votes. A second state House recount, in District 27, confirmed that Republican incumbent David Vaughan defeated Democrat John MacCarthy by 32 votes. Both races went to recounts after the Nov. 3 election along with the 2nd Congressional District contest. Democrats running for Statehouse seats this year handed out literature for congressional candidate Zyon Khalifa while knocking on doors, an effort he called “truly coordinated.”4, 3
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Article Sources
1. NPR, “Democrat Scott Colom wins Mississippi Senate race,” Nov. 11, 2026.
https://www.npr.org/2026/11/11/g-s1-151688/mississippi-senate-race-scott-colom
2. Associated Press (via NBC Right Now), “The Latest: Democrat Scott Colom wins election to US Senate from Mississippi,” Nov. 11, 2026.
https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/syndicated/the-latest-white-house-claims-criminality-in-democratic-oversight/article_095d163d-296d-51bb-b2a8-c8e758743d61.html
3. ABC News 4 (WACH), “Wilson wins congressional recount, Khalifa announces 2028 run,” Nov. 11, 2026.
https://abcnews4.com/news/state/2026-11-11-joe-wilson-wins-congressional-recount-zyon-khalifa-announces-2028-run-political-news
4. The Post and Courier, “Recount triggered by narrow margin confirms Wilson’s win in Midlands congressional seat,” Nov. 11, 2026.
https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/joe-wilson-recount-zyon-khalifa/article_b5f506a4-48e6-439a-9b5d-34f0ac782d06.html
5. WTMJ, “Governor-elect Crowley announces chief of staff, co-chairs and director of transition team,” Nov. 11, 2026.
https://wtmj.com/news/2026/11/11/governor-elect-crowley-announces-cabinet-chief-of-staff/
6. Acton Pepper Transition (official), “Governor-Elect Amy Acton Announces Transition Co-Chairs,” Nov. 11, 2026.
https://govelectacton.com/newsroom/governor-elect-amy-acton-announces-transition-co-chairs
7. The Chattanoogan, “Governor-Elect Marsha Blackburn Announces Leadership For 2027 Inauguration,” Nov. 11, 2026.
https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/11/11/525978/Governor-Elect-Marsha-Blackburn.aspx