by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Two closely contested U.S. Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska remained undecided Thursday, with Democratic challengers holding razor-thin leads over Republican incumbents following Tuesday’s midterm elections, which handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.
In Mississippi, Democratic challenger Scott Colom led Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by just 1,138 votes, with approximately 96% of ballots counted, according to Associated Press figures reported Thursday. Colom had received 464,926 votes, compared with Hyde-Smith’s 463,788, leaving the outcome dependent on outstanding absentee and provisional ballots.
In Alaska, former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola held a narrow lead over Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, with fewer than 700 votes separating the candidates. Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system could delay a final determination for weeks if no candidate receives an outright majority.
The Alaska contest has also drawn legal controversy after President Donald Trump’s Justice Department challenged the candidacy of another man named Dan Sullivan, arguing that his nearly identical name could confuse voters and improperly divert support from the Republican incumbent.
Democrats have already secured at least 54 Senate seats after flipping seven Republican-held seats nationwide. Victories in Mississippi and Alaska would expand their majority to 56 seats, further weakening Republican influence in the incoming Congress.
The results represent a significant political setback for President Trump, whose Republican allies are preparing to confront a Democratic-controlled Congress when lawmakers convene in January.
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