‘Elated,’ ‘Surreal,’ ‘Inspiring’: Mississippi REACTS to HISTORIC win for Democrat over GOP incumbent

I feel optimistic. I'm lost for words and I'm just so happy right now. I'm overjoyed. We knew it was coming. We had faith from the beginning. I'm just so exuberant about the pride. It almost feels surreal. It's definitely inspiring for me. People were energized. And I'm just so happy that the world can see Mississippi is not. who you think we are. I feel full and elated for the state of Mississippi. But I want to have a final word to every Mississippian. the ones that voted for me, the ones that didn't vote for me,

and the ones that didn't vote. My commitment to you, each and every one of you, is that first. I'm gonna treat your children. like I want my children to be treated. I'm gonna treat your parents the way I want my parents to be. treated. I'm gonna treat your future. the way I want my future to be. (audience cheers). My commitment is to be someone.

that continues to stay in prayer, continues to have faith, and continues to work to make. every Mississippian's life better. That's what you're getting. (audience cheers). - You heard the Senator-elect's speech. Tell me how you feel, just watching him, how you feel in this moment. Describe how you're feeling right now. You know, I feel privileged to just to listen to the guy talk.

The fact that he talks about faith, you know, I feel. optimistic. because he's not using any like scare language, this language. about unity. And he cares about little man. See, I'm from Africa. So when I listen to a guy talk about unity to me, it means a. lot. And I respect the man. I respect the man. I'm glad I'm here because what I used to hear about Mississippi. when I was back in Africa, it's not good. But to be in this moment and listen to this guy. talk like this, I'm blessed. I'm blessed. I'm privileged. I'm lucky. -I feel great. Like, it's amazing.

We haven't seen a black senator since Reconstruction. So, for all eyes to be on Mississippi, I'm honored. I cannot wait to see what Scott does as the next senator. from the great state of Mississippi, and I'm just so hopeful for the future of America. -I've been saying for a long time. that Mississippi and her people are so much better. than some of the garbage that comes out. of the halls of power around here. This is a new day for Mississippi. and for mothers in Mississippi.

who so many of us have great dreams. and hopes for our children. And for a lot of us, that means that maybe you hope. sort of that your kids leave. and that they find a better place to be where there isn't. the hatred, there isn't the animosity, there isn't the lawmakers trying to convince us that life will. get better for some when we make it harder for others.

And that's changing for me. I think Scott will be a leader. that reverses the brain drain in Mississippi. and he makes Mississippi a place where mamas can be thrilled. for their babies to come back home to. -You know, Scott Columbus making history here. It's shocking so many people. Are you shocked? Did you see that he had this in him, that he could pull this off? -I did. In fact, the day of the election, I sent him a message, and I told him,

"I can't wait to have you represent. Mississippi in Washington, D.C.". -I said, "You are gonna change the trajectory. of the United States of America. in terms of the state of Mississippi. We are going to lead the world from what you do in Mississippi. When you think about some of the civil rights legends that have. been, that Mississippi was. somewhere that they came from, you know, I'm thinking about. being here on Tougaloo. Martin Luther King, Fannie Lou Hamer all once walked these. halls. How does it feel that Scott Columbus is bringing in this. moment here on this campus? It is wonderful.

I am 77 years of age and I was here when this red pack landed. on Tougaloo's campus. This has always been a home for us in Mississippi. And for Scott to be here and to be at this time and this place. and to be the first African-American senator. elected since Reconstruction, we are happy, but we knew it was coming. -Scott Clum will be the first Democratic senator here. since 1982. -Yes. -An incumbent senator hasn't lost re-election here. since, I think, 1942. -Yes. -When you just think about the odds.

he had to overcome for this moment, You know, does it make you proud to support him? How do you feel about it? I'm just so exuberant about the pride of seeing so many people. work so hard to make this happen. I'm a physician and I'm basically interested in how to. make our state healthier. And we have to have someone occupying that seat that makes. sure that we get the health. care we need, that we get education for our children, and. that we get the employment pay. that we need to make things better. I just feel really excited.

It almost feels surreal just seeing the process of everything. and how students have been trying. to get everybody's votes counted, everybody out to vote, and just to see the results of. that come to fruition. I'm just like, "Aww.". Let me ask you, did you think you'd ever see not just a. Democratic senator here, but a. Black Democratic senator here in Mississippi? I definitely knew that it was possible, because I'm a person. that likes to dream big. But seeing it here now today, like, it's just really inspiring. for me to just reach for. the stars and not to limit myself because of who I am. And just to always just keep pushing and keep striving,

because as we see, like, anything is possible now. Especially if, you know, you keep pushing, you rely on the people around you, and you just always just push your best foot forward. I think that this is definitely inspiring for me. - Talk to me about why not only you wanted to be here, but you wanted to bring your daughter here as well. - So for my daughter, as a young black lady, I want her to know that anything is possible, as long as you guys strive and you do the right thing, that you can achieve anything you want to. Lots of words right now, but to have a black senator for Mississippi, one for everybody. That's what I want to say. It's not just. because he's black,

but this is the man that's for everybody. So that's the most. important. part. This man is for everybody. He's gonna put money back into. the pockets. of Mississippi and so a man for everybody. That's what we want. How you. feel right now in a word, what would you say? I feel full and. elated for the. state of Mississippi. I mean, I've worked on his campaign. I've talked to. the people and he's the right candidate and it's time. It's. time. You mentioned. you've been talking to people, I'm curious to see your view. At what point did things start to feel different? Like, oh, this candidate may really be able to pull off.

what once felt impossible. - Well, I mean, just listening to him. and knowing that he's a man of God. and he feels that this is his time, it's time for change. - It's time for change. And that's the message you've been hearing so much. over the last couple of days. Hey, I'm just gonna come interrupt. We're live on MS Now. I'm sorry for disturbing the conversation. I want to know how you guys feel right now. Ah, great! Fantastic! I feel hopeful. I feel hopeful.

I am an old bag, but Scott Coulomb gives me hope. that Mississippi might actually make it over the line, that we might go somewhere. And I am so grateful that he's ran and that he won. I feel like you're getting a bit emotional. Can you tell me what feels emotional about this moment? I never thought it would happen. I just never thought it would happen. I mean, I voted for Mike Espy. You know, I voted for so many candidates, fine candidates, who. were people of color.

over the years, and they just couldn't seem to get past the. color line. And so I'm extremely grateful that voters came out for Mr. Cologne. I think he'll make a fabulous senator. I think he will be a mediator. I think he will make Mississippi very, very proud. And he will not be a ghost on Capitol Hill. People were energized by Scott. And everybody got out and supported him and voted for him.

And I think that made the difference. I'm just so happy and so thrilled. I mean, he worked hard for it, you know. A lot of people worked for this thing. And I'm just so happy that the world can see Mississippi is not. who you think we are. I've been hearing that so much, how one of the things folks love. here is that they feel. like it's changing the perception people had about. Mississippi, about Jackson. Can you tell me about that? Well, I mean, it's, you always hear the same thing, "Well, you. know it's down in Mississippi.". But believe it or not, you know, Mississippi is, has advanced a. lot and this is, this is.

proof of it, right? I mean, and she is, she was an awful candidate, you know, so we. picked another senator.