Mississippi, hot damn!

Ms. Nina Simone said it best. Till this week, everybody knew Mississippi was not going to elect a Democrat to the Senate, much less a black Democrat. But everybody was wrong. Scott Columm, capitalized on an inspiring life story, a very clever ad, and a willingness to talk to just about anybody who might be persuaded to vote for him and he won. I have the courage to believe in Mississippi. I have the courage to understand that we can show the country that Mississippi matters. Coming up on today, explain from Vox how against some very long odds, Scott Columm and Mississippi made history. Support for the shelter day comes from the International Rescue Committee. Are you familiar with their work? You've seen the headlines, wars, floods, and other crises that are forcing millions of families to flee their homes. Many are living in makeshift shelters without enough food, water, or medicine. And you can help. The IRC is on the ground in over 40 countries, delivering emergency aid, where it's needed most for a limited time. All gifts will be matched to make an even bigger impact. You can give now at rescue.org/rebuild. As soon as autumn rolls around and you swap your ice lattes for pumpkin spice, that's your signal to start thinking about the holidays. The decor, the gifts, the shopping lists, but more importantly, the holiday treats. Cheesecakes, cookies, is there anything better? And when the recipe calls for cream cheese, there's only one option. Philadelphia, the original cream cheese, made with fresh milk and real cream. This holiday season, whether you're going all out or keeping it simple, make it really, filly-good. Find your favorite holiday recipe at creamcheese.com. This is TodayXplink. Taylor Vance is a politics reporter at Mississippi today. He covered the Scott Collome campaign for 18 months. He traveled all over the state. All right, Taylor, so when the AP called the race, what happened? I think on election night, I was in sort of a state of disbelief. I mean, nothing like this has ever happened in my lifetime, as far as a Democrat being elected. And there is no one alive in Mississippi currently who has seen a black person win any type of state-wide office. I mean, Scott Collome is not just the first black person to win a U.S. Senate seat since Reconstruction. He is the first black person to win any type of state-wide office in Mississippi since Reconstruction. That is how monumental this is. And the fact that on election night, he had a very narrow lead of about 20 votes, 25 votes, I think. And Mississippi, too close to call, look at the numbers. It's 48.9 percent to 48.9 percent. The margin in Mississippi is just 28 votes. 28 votes, it's like blood relatives and good friends that appear to have put Scott Collome potentially over the hump. Everyone was just stunned in stunned disbelief, but very excited. And then we knew it was going to come down to these, what we call affidavit ballots in Mississippi. I think the rest of the nation, many states, called them provisional ballots. And these affidavit ballots slowly started to just break for Scott Collome. And then when the Associated Press finally called it, it was just sort of like a damn broke. And people were just, I mean, elated. I think Sam Cook said it best. It's been a long time coming, but a change is going to come. And Mississippi, the change is here. I definitely knew that it was possible, but seeing it here and now today, like, it's just really inspiring for me to just reach for the stars and not to live myself because of who I am. Everybody is happy that we have came together as a people, not just black people, white people, everybody as a whole, and voted to see Scott as the next senator. I mean, at his event, the historic Tugaloo College, I mean, people were dancing. I mean, there was music. I mean, I think a speaker kind of started smoking last night because the music was so loud. All right. So you followed this campaign from the beginning. Did you have a moment or a couple moments where you thought, this guy's running as a Democrat, but he might pull this off? I did. There were about three moments. And they were all at rallies. The first one was at his event in his hometown of Columbus. Because this is the place that taught me the values that matter. And that was when former vice president Kamala Harris came to campaign with him. The power is with the people and the people are with Scott. And the crowd that was in this high school gym, they broke out into this sort of impromptu chant of "we want" Scott. And that may sound very simple, but I had never seen just that level of enthusiasm for a Democratic candidate in Mississippi. And then the next event was on the coast. And I remember after the Paris event, so that came up to me and he said, "You got to come to my event on the coast." And I said to the coast, that's like the safest Republican area in the state. And the former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had a rally with him there. And there were 700 people that least packed into this event space. And they just went nuts for Scott and Pete Buttigieg. Who's ready to send Scott Kalam to the United States Senate? I had never seen anything like it. And I joked with Scott after it. I said, "I didn't know there were this many liberals that lived on the coast." And he laughed and then there was the event in Tupelo with former president Clinton. And it was the Tupelo rally with president Clinton that Scott said something very powerful. He said, "I truly believe deep down in my heart there is nothing wrong with Mississippi that can't be fixed with what's right about Mississippi." That kind of gave me chills. And at the first rally, I said, "Oh, he has momentum." The second one, oh, this could be competitive. Then the third one, I said, "He might be a U.S. senator." Hmm. Scott Kalam's opponent was Cindy Hyde Smith. She was in incumbent. You got to wonder whether he did everything right or whether she also in her campaign did some things wrong. Where did she leave an opening, do you think? I think that she is not a very public facing candidate. And I think Scott very much wanted to draw a contrast with that. I've been all over Mississippi looking for a junior center, Cindy Hyde Prices. And she nowhere to be found. She doesn't campaign. She doesn't do town halls. She's MIA. She, I think, has given me probably three interviews since I have been a reporter. Scott has given me three interviews this last week. And probably, I think one of the turning points, although there were several. One of the turning points is when she did one interview with the TV station and said, and the broadcaster asked her, "What is your response to people who were concerned with the hype, calls to beef?" And she said, "You know, you have so many proteins to choose from, and all commodities go through pigs and valleys." And it was sort of this Marie Antoinette, "Let them eat cake moment." And I don't even think she really understood what was wrong with what she said. But the Cologne campaign just pounced on it and was able to really use that against her. "Pick another protein?" She said, "I'd rather pick another senator instead." Pick another protein. She didn't lost her damn mind. I'd rather pick another senator." Yeah, there were a couple ads in that campaign that were really, really just well done as far as political ads go, but that beef one went viral. So did people who planned to vote Republican for Cindy Heidsmith instead swing towards Scott Cologne? Did we see more Black voters in Mississippi come out and vote for Scott Cologne? Like, what happened? The answer to both of those questions is, yes. I think when we get the final data, it will show probably that this is one of the highest Black voter turnout elections in Mississippi for a non-presidential election. Black voters turned out in droves in part because of the U.S. Supreme Court's Kalei decision and the pending threat from our state government on wanting to redistrict and reduce the number of Black legislative districts and potentially congressional districts in the state. We know this is wrong, we know this is a power grant for the Republican Party. This is Jim Crow 2.0 and the only thing we can do is existed and fight back whatever fiber in our body. And we plan to do that. - But also, white voters did cross-ever. By my estimate, about 25,000 Republican voters, who were more likely white voters, who went into the polling precinct on Election Day and voted for their incumbent Republican congressmen, and then voted for Scott Cologne on Election Day. The Cologne coalition included split ticket voters, like Ginger Vaughan from Decatur. - I voted for the other guy, Scott Cologne. - I feel like she's been there for a while now and nothing has really gotten done and his message was very positive and hopefully he can bring some change. - And I think those were the big factors. - To a lot of people outside of Mississippi, I think Scott Cologne might seem like an overnight success. But the bigger picture here is that a Democrat has now been elected to the Senate from the state of Mississippi, which makes me wonder, was there a project in the state to get this done? Does this proceed, Scott Cologne? Like, how long have Dems been trying to make an honest push down there? - A long time. I mean, we have been inching toward this moment for a while. There have been, you know, voting rights groups, civil rights groups who have been, at least a threat decade, probably having a coordinated effort to turn out the vote. But even more than that, there are people in the Mississippi Delta who have been organizing and they don't even call it organizing. They just know they're trying to register people to vote and put people in their car and take them to vote on election day. But more than that, I mean, we have been inching towards this moment if you can look at the numbers. I mean, Mississippi is not as conservative as people. I mean, I think it's still conservative, but it's not, as this ruby red, deep red conservative state is people think, it is just underinvested in by the National Democratic Party national groups. And it just hasn't been really, really organized in full force. And I think, I think now that has changed. I mean, Scott has flipped the script. (upbeat music) Mississippi is now competitive. And I think you will see a Mississippi that is no longer silent. And I think we're inching towards a deep south that is no longer silent. And it will demand that the national party not overlook it any longer. And I think now the swing states are not just in the Midwest. I think the road to power now runs through the South and that includes Mississippi. (upbeat music) He is Taylor Vance, he's a politics reporter at Mississippi today. When we come back, what's it like to spot Scott Colombs political talent early? We're gonna ask the man who did. (upbeat music) - Support for day explained comes from Quince Luxury Quality without the luxury markup, Quince. From 100% Mongolian cashmere sweaters to hotel quality bedding and chef grade cookware, Quince makes everyday favorites with a reasonable price tag. Their cashmere sweaters start at $60 and everything at Quince is priced 50% to 80% less than similar brands. Because Quince partners directly with factories and cuts out the middleman, some things take an entire episode to explain. Turns out getting luxury for less is pretty simple. Here's Nisha Chital. - I got the woven leather ballet flats from Quince. They're super comfortable. I'm wearing them all the time. They've been great for running around New York City and commuting every day. Give the gift of quality the Solid-A season download the Quince app for app exclusive offers to go to quince.com, get free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK too. And when Quince asks where you heard about them, let them know what was today explained. It's a way to support the show. - As soon as autumn rolls around and you swap your iced lattes for pumpkin spice, that's your signal to start thinking about the holidays. This holiday season, whether you're going all out or keeping it simple, make it really, fully good, find your favorite holiday recipe at creamcheese.com. - Support for the show comes from Core Weave. Everywhere you look, AI is expanding what we thought was possible and at the center of it all is Core Weave. Medical research and diagnosis, education, complex visual effects for movies, science and technology breakthroughs, Core Weave, powers AI pioneers around the world with purpose-built tech, building what's never been built before. Core Weave is the essential cloud for AI, ready for anything, ready for AI. To learn more about how Core Weave powers the world's best AI, go to coreweave.com/readyforanything. - And everybody knows that Mississippi matters. (audience cheering) - It's today explained on the Will King. Congressman Benny Thompson represents Mississippi's second district he has since 1993. The Congressman has spoken many times about how important the right to vote is, in part because he remembers when black Americans were not guaranteed that right. - In this life, my father never cast a vote because of Jim Crow. So I dedicated my career to protecting the votes against violence and discrimination. - We called him up to ask about Scott Colombs run for the Senate and he said, to see just how far Mississippi came this week, you need to understand what it was like for black residents even in his lifetime. - Well, you know, you were a second class citizen. That means you could go to school, but you couldn't go to school with the white kids. All the one swimming pool in town was for white kids and the black kids had to swim in the creeks or the ponds around the community. No lifeguard, no anything. My mom and dad had paid taxes, but they weren't allowed to vote. You know, my uncle fought in World War II, defended democracy all over the world. But when he came back home, he had to ride a segregated train behind the white German prisoners. - Jesus. - So you had the white soldiers, the white German prisoners and the black soldiers. And so that was the order of the day. It was something that we grew up with. - When you were young, I wonder, did you associate the right to vote with the ability to change things? Like if we get to cast a ballot, then we get to fix this mess. - Well, I tell you, the best thing I can say is, I went to Tugaloo College. And on that college campus, I met Martin Luther King, Jr. I met Stokely Carmichael. I met Harry Belafonte. I met Sammy Davis, Jr. All of the major civil rights icons of the day. And so that was how we could our teeth into civil rights and voting rights. The first campaign I worked on was Mrs. Hamer's campaign for Congress. - Fannie Lou Hamer, the civil rights icon. - It's just a matter of the line of the friend, the home of the brain, while we have the feet, but our cellophones are for the hood, because our lives be threatened daily, because we want the lives of decent human beings in America. - And I now represent that district. - Wow. - But I remember telling my mother that, oh, I had gone to Rueville, Mississippi to help register black people to vote for Congress. And my mama said, "Well, I don't know why you weigh up there." She said, "Black people don't vote here in Bolton." And so, it hit me. And Lord had mercy in my own hometown. I was in the same situation. And we did voter registration. We did all kinds of things. We brought head start to the community and started understanding that real freedom comes with political freedom. And so we started holding meetings about what we want to do. So. We decided to run three people for the board. And so, we ran the three African Americans won. But it really wasn't a good four years on that term because the current mayor didn't want any progress. So, we ran in all black slate, mayor, clerk, ultimate. We want every position. Okay, so we're talking about 50 years ago and all these challenges that you faced, all these challenges to being able to vote, being able to assume office, being able to function as a mayor in a town that is so segregated. 50 years later, Scott Colombe is on the verge of winning in Mississippi. And I want to ask you to reflect on when you became aware of his candidacy. And what you thought about the potential there. One of the challenges that I've had to deal with is every time I run for public office, I've always been the first. But I wanted to create some kind of vehicle to get other people engaged. So, we formed a Mississippi Black Leadership Institute. Well, Scott Colombe was in the first class. - Okay. - And he really said I want to run for some, I don't know what it is. He said, but there's a district attorney's position that's available. It's three counties. And so, we helped Scott put his campaign together. We hooked him up with various people. And he beat a 28 year incumbent as district attorney. - Why do you think you won? - Well, because he had to fire in the belly. - Huh? - And he never met a stranger. And so, we prepared him. And he's one of our star pupils over that class. And look, when the Democratic Senator campaign committed would not support him. - They would not support him. But this was my Ben and Thompson's position. His North-Easterners were still looking down on southerners. - Well, did you call them up and scream at Chuck Schumer? Or somebody and say, guys, I am telling you, we got one here who can win. - Look, we did everything that the system say you should do. We gave the demographics, we had a guy who had, that district he represented now was not a majority African-American district. He beat that sitting district attorney in a majority white district. Of course, he had a plan and he had a message. We had a rich message, but a poor campaign, because we couldn't get our DSCC to help. - Have you called any of those people on national leadership and said, I told you so? - Oh, I think I told that. So then, all of a sudden, the week before the election, they go, so we're gonna be able to do this, but we're gonna shoot the spot and we'll send it to you. So you really didn't give us the money. You know what I'm saying? So that's all right. We won't keep doing our low budget, social media, attractive thing. And so it took off. - You are 78 years old? - Yes. - Do I have that right? - Yeah. - This has been most of your life. - Oh, yeah. - The fight for this has been most of your life. - Yep. - You sit here today, we sit here today. Where is your head at in all of this? I mean, did you lock yourself in the bathroom and cry for 10 minutes? Like, what's going on with you? I had no question at all. See, I'm happy for Scott personally, for his trajectory is tremendous. But you know, it's gonna tough journey. We had a poll tax put on us, that we had to pay money to be a registered voter. We had to interpret sections of the constitution. In many instances, when my mama registered, my mama had a college degree, she was a teacher, but the person who asked her to interpret the constitution was an elementary school graduate. You see what I'm saying? - I sure do. - And so, for me, having gone through those life experiences and now that's still Scott come along, you know, it not only brings tears to your eye, but it also says that's hope. That's hope for young African-Americans that at some point the choice will be, do I stay a lead? It won't be, well, when I get an education, I got to go somewhere else to seek a career. And so, that's the exciting part. I'm just really happy. And for a guy who's been in it over 50 years and been called everything, but a child of God, because I'm trying to elevate people who look like me to where I know if they have it, they'll do a great job. So, for Benny Thompson, Scott's victory is a dream come true. - Representative Benny Thompson, thank you so much for your time. We really appreciate it. - Thank you for having me. - Hadi Mwagdi produced today's show, and Jolly Meyers edited David Tatashore and Bridger Dunnigan engineered, and Gabriel Dunnatov and Ariana Sputu checked the facts. The rest of us, Danielle Hewitt, Kelly Westinger, Denise Gera, Dustin DeSoto, Peter Balanon, Rose and Miles Bryan, Avishai Artsy, Amuna El Sadi, and Miranda Kennedy. We use music by Brickmaster Cylinder. How'd you like to see me and Sean Ramas firm in matching outfits? If you're in New York City, we'll be performing this Friday, November 20th at Story Fest, St. Anne, and the Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn. Wow, tickets are available online. Today, explain to distribute it by WNYC in the shows part of the Vox Media Podcast Network for more podcast.voxmedia.com. Listen, add free by signing up at vox.com/members. [MUSIC PLAYING] Support for today's episode comes from Delta, official airline of the National Women's Soccer League. Traveling is basically magic. It creates opportunities, it fosters understanding, it expands horizons, it connects people and communities to each other and to their own potential. Those are the values that drive Delta, with up to 5,500 daily Delta and Delta connection flights to more than 300 destinations on six continents, Delta is committed to helping you explore your world. Whatever gives you the travel bug, Delta is here to help you get there. Visit Delta.com for more info. Delta, wherever the journey takes you. 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