Pinkins says he played spoiler to Hyde-Smith, not Colom

Pinkins notes he played spoiler to. Pinkins notes he played spoiler to Hyde-Smith, not Colom.

Key points

• With 99% of precincts reporting as of Wednesday morning, DeSoto County went blue, backing Democrat nominee Scott Colom over incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.
• Senate and was the Democrat nominee against Republican Senator Roger Wicker in 2024.
• Lawmakers, Governor expect higher revenues, adopt $7.8 billion estimated revenue for Fiscal Year 2028.
• Independent candidate Ty Pinkins remarked he is "happy that we drew votes from Cindy Hyde-Smith, " and he now hopes Democrat Scott Colom wins.
• What to know before you go to the polls: Magnolia Tribune Midterm Voter Information Guide.

Pinkins notes he played spoiler to. Pinkins notes he played spoiler to Hyde-Smith, not Colom. By: Frank Corder – November 5, 2026. Ty Pinkins, 2023 (Photo from the Pinkins campaign).

Ty Pinkins informed CNN Wednesday that he never intended to be a spoiler in the Mississippi U.S. Senate race. He ran as an independent to offer voters an option beyond the Democrat and Republican candidates, Scott Colom and incumbent U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith.

Pinkins, a former Democrat, contends that the almost 20, 000 votes that went his way on Tuesday may have actually assisted Colom ultimately win despite the backlash he has received from staying in the race.

"I think what we did in this race as an independent campaign we did the opposite of a spoiler, " Pinkins informed CNN. "If you look at the data coming out of this race, 77% of our votes came from traditionally Republican counties in Mississippi. Twelve of the top 13 vote getting counties we obtained were red counties."

Pinkins remarked polling mid-year demonstrated 70% of those voting for him as an independent were traditional Republican voters.

"What we were thinking when we were going into that race, we saw the same thing, " he remarked, adding, "70% of my voters were Republicans and that would benefit Scott Colom and that's what you see now."

Pinkins continued that in only two occasions in 50 years has a Republican in Mississippi been held below 50% in federal elections, "and on both of those occasions an independent was in the race." He pointed to the 1978 contest Thad Cochran won by a plurality of the vote, not a majority, and then this election with Colom and Hyde-Smith.

"Being below 50% does matter when you take into consideration what could have happened with that 2.1%, " Pinkins remarked. "You can't assume that all of those votes would have went right back to Scott Colom when the Republican has won for 15 straight times over the last 50 years in this state."

Pinkins previously ran for U.S. Senate and was the Democrat nominee against Republican Senator Roger Wicker in 2024. Pinkins lost that race, drawing 37% of the vote. Pinkins was additionally the substitute candidate for Democrats in the 2023 Secretary of State race. It he lost to incumbent Republican Michael Watson with Watson pulling in 60%.

As of Thursday morning, Colom has rose his lead over Hyde-Smith to 1, 138 votes with precincts, affidavits, and mail-in absentee ballots still be counted over the coming days. Regarding the Author(s).

Frank Corder is a native of Pascagoula. For almost two decades, he has noted and offered analysis on administration, public policy, business and matters of faith. Frank's interviews, articles, and columns have been shared throughout Mississippi as well as in national publications. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, providing insight and commentary on the inner workings of the Magnolia State. Frank has served his community in both elected and appointed public office, hosted his own local radio and television programs, and managed private businesses all while being an engaged husband and father. Email Frank: [email protected].

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In short, pinkins says he played spoiler to Hyde is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.