With Mississippi Solidly In-Play, District Attorney Scott Colom Challenges Cindy Hyde-Smith to Three Debates

In addition to accepting invitations to two local TV debates, Colom also offers to debate Hyde-Smith on an outlet of her choosing, including Fox News

Hyde-Smith has not held a public town hall in more than six years, while Colom has held 50+ town halls

District Attorney Colom: “A debate is not a courtesy to the candidates. It’s how Mississippians get answers from the people asking for their vote, and the Senator owes them several”

Recent polling shows the race in a dead heat, with Colom pulling ahead once voters hear about both candidates

Jackson, MS — Today, U.S. Senate candidate and District Attorney Scott Colom challenged incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith to three debates, including one debate hosted by any news organization Senator Hyde-Smith chooses. 

While Colom continues to meet with voters across the state, including hosting more than 50 town halls, Cindy Hyde-Smith has not held a public town hall in more than six years. Last week, she even refused to answer a serious question about Nolan Wells’ tragic passing and instead, called security.

“Mississippians deserve to see the two people asking for this job side by side, answering the tough questions that Mississippians deserve to have the answers to. I accept WLBT’s and WJTV’s invitations to debate Cindy Hyde-Smith, and I’m challenging her to a third debate. Her pick of station, her pick of moderator. I’ll be there. I’m not scared to take questions from anybody,” said District Attorney Colom. “Why are Mississippi farms going under while Hyde-Smith takes money from the companies jacking up prices for farmers? Why are Mississippi families paying for Big Tech’s data center projects? Why did Hyde-Smith vote to keep the Epstein files sealed? Cindy Hyde-Smith needs to stop being chicken and answer for her record. Cindy Hyde-Smith needs to debate.”

PHOTOS AVAILABLE HERE

CHALLENGE LETTER PDF AVAILABLE HERE

September 29, 2026

Cindy Hyde-Smith for U.S. Senate

P.O. Box 2930

Jackson, MS 39207

Subject: General election debates

To the Hyde-Smith campaign:

On behalf of District Attorney Scott Colom, I’m writing to tell you that we are accepting the invitations from WLBT and WJTV to debate Senator Hyde-Smith before the November 3 general election. We thank both stations for extending them.

We are also making a third offer directly to your campaign: a debate hosted by any outlet Senator Hyde-Smith chooses. Her pick of network, station or radio program, whether that is Fox News, SuperTalk Mississippi or anywhere else she is comfortable. We will accept it. We ask that all three take place as soon as possible, so Mississippians can see both candidates side by side before they vote.

A debate is not a courtesy to the candidates. It’s how Mississippians get answers from the people asking for their vote, and the Senator owes them several:

• Why are Mississippi farmers paying more to stay in business while Hyde-Smith takes money from the companies setting the price? Cattlemen in Crawford told WTVA this week that a farmer can spend $2,500 a day on diesel alone. Fertilizer costs have climbed too. Meanwhile, Senator Hyde-Smith and her affiliated PACs have accepted at least $14,000 from Koch Industries and Nutrien, two fertilizer companies the Justice Department is investigating for possible price-fixing.
• Why are Mississippi families paying for Big Tech’s electricity? Residential customers are already covering about $10.60 a month, roughly $38 million so far, for infrastructure that serves data centers. Even a voluntary bill to address it, which passed the House 417 to 3, is now stalled in the Senate. Senator Hyde-Smith sits on the committee that has the Senate version, and she has not put her name on it.
• Why did Hyde-Smith vote to keep the Epstein files sealed? She voted to block their release, then voted to confirm the attorney general whose department is in court fighting to keep redactions in place.
• Why won’t Hyde-Smith take questions from the people she represents? District Attorney Colom has held more than 50 town halls across Mississippi this year. Senator Hyde-Smith has not held a public town hall in more than six years. Last week, a reporter asked her about the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells. She said she doesn’t do hallway interviews and told security the reporter was harassing her.

Mississippians have a right to hear her answer these questions in a setting where she can’t walk away from them.

Please respond by 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 2 so the stations can plan. We’re ready to work with your team and the stations on dates, format and logistics.

Sincerely,

Gerard Henderson
Campaign Manager, Scott Colom for Senate

cc: WLBT 3 News; WJTV 12 News; Mississippi media

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About Scott: Scott Colom is a seventh-generation Mississippian, proud husband and father of two, and district attorney who fights every day to keep Mississippians safe. Guided by his Christian faith, Scott has dedicated his life to serving his neighbors and keeping them safe from violent criminals. Now he’s running to lower costs for families, save our Mississippi hospitals, and bring good jobs home. Scott loves his state and will always put Mississippi first – and he’ll work with anyone, Republican or Democrat, to get things done for us.