Hyde-Smith declared victory on election night. She later posted that the "election is not over" and that her team is monitoring remaining ballots to "protect the integrity of the process." She has also said on X that she will "represent Mississippi in the United States Senate for the next six years." Colom's campaign manager has expressed confidence that his lead will grow. Colom has criticized Hyde-Smith for not appearing publicly or explaining her strategy since election night.

The outcome turns on absentee and provisional "affidavit" ballots across Mississippi's 82 counties. Counties accept mailed and provisional ballots until November 10, and final results are expected to be certified by December 3. On Thursday, Hyde-Smith's campaign sent a letter to officials in all 82 counties demanding that provisional ballots be separated immediately from regular and absentee ballots so eligibility can be verified. Colom's campaign answered in its own letter, calling the demands "unlawful and extraordinary measures." Marc Elias and the Elias Law Group have announced they will represent Colom.

Mississippi law has no provision for a statewide recount. Campaigns may seek court orders to examine ballots county by county.

A Colom win would make him the first Black senator from Mississippi since Blanche K. Bruce, who served from 1875 to 1881, and the state's first Democratic senator since 1982. White conservatives have dominated the state's congressional delegation for nearly 150 years, and Mississippi's population is nearly 40% Black. Hyde-Smith beat Democrat Mike Espy 54-46 in 2018 and 54-44 in 2020. The result will not change control of the Senate, which Democrats have already secured.

The count shows movement in Republican-leaning areas. In DeSoto County, Colom led by roughly 6 points, where Hyde-Smith won by 16 in 2020. In Harrison County, her lead shrank from 17 points to about 4. Explanations differ. Brannon Miller of Chism Strategies, who ran the "New Southern Majority" super PAC effort, attributes gains in Pearl River and DeSoto counties to white Republicans flipping to vote for the first Black senator since Reconstruction. That effort spent just under $1 million targeting about 200,000 Republican voters with messages on the war in Iran, gas prices, tariffs and data centers. DeSoto County Chair Deborah Williams credits door-knocking at nearly 70,000 doors and Colom's "Mississippi Matters" message. Arekia Bennett-Scott of Mississippi Votes points to youth mobilization driven by opposition to congressional redistricting. Voters under 30 backed Colom 62 percent to 33 percent, and 91 percent of Black voters supported him.

Colom's campaign received little support from Senate Democrats until late October. It benefited from a backlash against redistricting efforts aimed at reducing Black representation, and an October ad highlighting Hyde-Smith's comments on rising beef prices went viral. Senate Majority PAC contributed $2.2 million and the Democratic Senate campaign organization $500,000. Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Kamala Harris endorsed Colom, and Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks campaigned with him. In the third quarter, Colom's campaign spent $1,396,812.95 to Hyde-Smith's $798,097.07. He also attended a Donald Trump rally supporting Hyde-Smith, engaged with attendees and claimed to have won over some Republican voters.

Hyde-Smith has not appeared publicly since election night. One account says she refused to debate Colom, held no town halls, and that her campaign website and Instagram account had not been updated since July. Colom closed his campaign with an ad referencing the legacy of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. He has said he can represent all Mississippians while acknowledging the historic significance of his candidacy.