A Democratic super PAC that previously focused on presidential races is wading into congressional midterms with a $50 million investment, including $2 million backing Scott Colom in his challenge to Mississippi Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.
American Bridge 21st Century, which describes itself as the “largest research, tracking, and rapid response operation in the Democratic Party,” issued a news release Tuesday of its investment in “20 key House and Senate races” across Iowa, Alaska, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
American Bridge confirmed to Mississippi Today that just over $2 million will be dedicated to Colom’s campaign between now and the end of the election cycle. The money, in part, will be used for digital, TV, radio, social media, and direct mail advertising.
“The campaign will feature local storytellers sharing firsthand accounts of rising costs due to Trump’s tariffs and Iran War, health care challenges including rising costs and Medicaid cuts, and other economic pressures,” a portion of Tuesday’s release said.
In addition to the advertising boost, American Bridge opposition researchers have compiled a research document called “How To Win Against Cindy Hyde-Smith,” which includes claims she supports tariffs and cuts to healthcare and SNAP benefits. The group also issued a news release last month pointing to donations Hyde-Smith received from fertilizer companies accused of price fixing.
American Bridge dedicated $200 million in 2024 to try to prevent President Donald Trump from returning to office. The group believes, even though that effort fell short, Trump’s first year and a half in office gives Democrats a much-better chance of flipping both the House and Senate.
“Many Americans are angry that President Trump has betrayed them and we want them to share their stories. Working class voters are fed up with the cost, chaos, and corruption,” American Bridge co-founder Bradley Beychok said. “Our investment aims to seize this opportunity in traditionally Republican territory.”
Hyde-Smith, who is seeking a second full term in the Senate after being appointed to Washington in April 2018 from her position as state agriculture commissioner, has previously criticized some of Colom’s contributors such as left-leaning billionaire George Soros and his son, Alexander Soros. Her campaign shared similar sentiments when asked about the American Bridge investment.
“No one should be surprised to see an out-of-state liberal super PAC attempt to save Scott Colom’s failing campaign. Not only was Colom handpicked by Chuck Schumer and the D.C. liberal elite, his previous campaign for District Attorney was bankrolled by out-of-state billionaire George Soros,” said Jake Monssen, Hyde-Smith’s campaign manager. “This is exactly how Scott Colom campaigns.”
Colom, a popular district attorney from Columbus who did not respond to a request for comment by publication, is running in a statewide race for the first time in his career. Considered the most viable Democrat to challenge Hyde-Smith since former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy – who lost by 10 points or less to Hyde-Smith in both 2018 and 2020 – Colom has managed to keep up for the most part on the fundraising front. He outraised Hyde-Smith at the end of last year before falling behind the incumbent earlier this year. Federal Election Commission records show Hyde-Smith currently has $2.4 million in cash on hand, compared to Colom’s approximately $560,000.
In 2022, Colom was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi before the promotion was squashed when Hyde-Smith blocked a confirmation vote. At the time, her GOP counterpart Sen. Roger Wicker was in favor of Colom’s nomination, but she cited Colom’s political beliefs and campaign donations from Soros to justify her dissent.
Colom and Hyde-Smith will run against each other on Nov. 3, with independent Ty Pinkins also seeking the six-year seat.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.