BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – Scott Colom outlined his platform for the Democratic U.S. Senate Primary, emphasizing economic concerns and healthcare access as key issues facing Mississippi voters.
Colom is the District Attorney for Mississippi’s 16th Circuit Court District, which covers Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Clay, and Noxubee counties.
Colom has served as DA for 10 years with a 94% conviction rate, and said he is running to provide representation that “fights for higher wages, lower costs, and to save our health care and hospitals.”
“Right now, Senator Hyde-Smith is not doing that,” Colom said. “She’s too focused on being somebody in D.C. and not focused enough on being somebody for us.”
The seventh-generation Mississippian said his statewide listening tour has revealed consistent concerns about rising costs and stagnant wages.
“When they go to the grocery store, they’re having to decide whether they can afford food this month, or they’re going to have to worry about the utility bill,” Colom said. “We haven’t raised minimum wage in our country in over 16 years. It’s still $7.25.”
Colom criticized Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s record on healthcare, saying she “voted to cut health care for 140,000 Mississippians” and that another 200,000 are likely to lose insurance due to reduced federal support for exchange participants.
Colom said high tariffs are causing high prices and called for lower tariffs to reduce costs.
“That will help people at the grocery store. It will help people pay for the things they need to survive,” Colom said.
Colom also proposed eliminating income tax for teachers and police officers making under $75,000 annually, citing retention issues in both professions.
“Too many of them are leaving the profession,” Colom said. “Teachers are working their tails off to get our students prepared for the future. But they’re not getting the pay they need.”
Colom acknowledged the challenge of running as a Democrat in Mississippi, where no Democrats currently hold statewide office. However, he said there is an electoral shift happening.
“There’s a grassroots swell. You guys are going to see it,” Colom said.
He criticized Hyde-Smith for not holding a town hall in six years and pledged to maintain regular contact with constituents if elected.
“I’m going to be a leader that Mississippi can be proud of and help us reach our potential,” Colom said.
The March 10 Democratic Primary also includes Albert Littell and Priscilla W. Till.
The Republican Primary for the U.S. Senate includes Hyde-Smith and Sarah Adlakha.
Independent Ty Pinkins will be on the general election ballot on November 3, along with the winners of the primaries.
WLOX News contacted all candidates and invited them to participate in interviews throughout February to discuss their positions and priorities.
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