NEW: “I’ve Voted Republican for 20 Years, But I Won’t This November” — In New Colom Ad, DeSoto County Republican Says Hyde-Smith Has “Lost Her Way” Over Epstein Files

“Lost Her Way,” launching today statewide on digital and connected TV, features Mark Vines, a Southaven businessman who hosted a conversation with District Attorney Colom and DeSoto County Republicans earlier this month

“If Cindy Hyde-Smith will not stand up against child abuse, she won’t stand up for Mississippi. Cindy Hyde-Smith has lost her way, and that’s why I’m voting for Scott Colom” — WATCH HERE

Hyde-Smith voted to block the release of the Epstein files in September 2025, when two Republican senators broke with their party to force them into the open — MORE HERE

District Attorney Colom: “Republicans who’ve voted for [Hyde-Smith] for years are telling Mississippi the truth about her. Mark and I found common ground because we agree Epstein’s victims need justice and deserve better from Washington. He didn’t change parties — he’s supporting me because he expects his senator to keep their word”

WATCH “LOST HER WAY” HERE

Jackson, MS — Today, District Attorney and U.S. Senate nominee Scott Colom launched “Lost Her Way,” a new ad running statewide across digital and connected television. In it, Mark Vines, a Southaven businessman who has voted Republican for 20 years, explains in his own words why he won’t vote for Cindy Hyde-Smith this November: her vote to block the release of the Epstein files.

On Sept. 10, 2025, the Senate voted 51 to 49 to kill a measure that would have forced the Justice Department to release the files. Two Republicans broke with their party to vote for release — Cindy Hyde-Smith voted to kill it. A year later, Vines hosted Colom in Hernando so a group of DeSoto County Republicans could sit across the table from him and ask about it directly. 

And the fight over those files isn’t over: in August, the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as Attorney General by a single vote, 50 to 49, at 4:17 in the morning, and Cindy Hyde-Smith voted yes. Now, Blanche’s Justice Department is asking a federal appeals court to pause a judge’s orders on the Epstein records.

“If Cindy Hyde-Smith will not stand up against child abuse, she won’t stand up for Mississippi,” Vines says in the ad. “Cindy Hyde-Smith has lost her way, and that’s why I’m voting for Scott Colom.”

Still image from “Lost Her Way” (Credit: Colom for U.S. Senate)

The ad arrives as Hyde-Smith’s campaign turns to attack ads against Colom rather than answering for her own record.

“Cindy Hyde-Smith is lying about me because she can’t defend her own record. I’ve spent my career putting sex offenders and violent criminals in prison, no matter their party or their background. But when Cindy had the chance to hold predators accountable by forcing the Epstein files into the open, she voted to keep them sealed,” said District Attorney Colom. “Now Republicans who’ve voted for her for years are telling Mississippi the truth about her. Mark and I found common ground because we agree Epstein’s victims need justice and deserve better than Cindy Hyde-Smith. He didn’t change parties — he’s supporting me because he expects his senator to keep their word.” 

Read a full transcript of “Lost Her Way“ below:

• MARK VINES: I’ve voted Republican for 20 years, but I won’t this November.
• When Cindy Hyde-Smith voted to block the release of the Epstein files, I was shocked. It’s just wrong to protect billionaire pedophiles from being held accountable.
• If Cindy Hyde-Smith will not stand up against child abuse, she won’t stand up for Mississippi.
• Cindy Hyde-Smith has lost her way, and that’s why I’m voting for Scott Colom.
• Scott Colom for U.S. Senate — because Mississippi matters.

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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.