GOTV produces large turnouts in mid-term election

By Alice Thomas-Tisdale

JA Publisher Emerita 

On a historic 2026 Election Day Tuesday, Democrats flipped seven Senate seats, including Texas for the first time since 1988, and won their biggest House majority in decades. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms’ historic win makes her the first Black female governor in the nation. Wisconsin, Nevada, and Florida also have their first Black governors in Democrats David Crowley and Aaron Ford and Republican Byron Donalds, respectfully. As expected, Maryland governor Wes Moore won his bid for reelection. 

Rep. Bennie Thompson will return to the nation’s capital to represent residents in the state’s 2nd congressional district, receiving nearly 68% of votes cast. Locally, Hinds County Judge Yemi Kings was reelected. In the Hinds County District Attorney’s special election, Darla Palmer and Gwen Agho are headed to a runoff. 

Mississippi Dems are still holding on to high hopes that Scott Colom will retain his lead over incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith to become Mississippi’s first Black to hold the office by popular vote; both Hiram Rhodes Revels and Blanche K. Bruce were Republicans and selected by their peers not elected by voters. 

“MISSISSIPPI! Our race is too close to call. We are going to make sure every single vote has been counted, and I am confident we will ultimately flip this seat,” said Colom Tuesday night. “Voters know what’s at stake and we saw historic voter turnout in this election across Mississippi, including thousands voting for the first time. There is a lot of work to be done and we are going to make sure every voice is heard.”

Colom’s anticipated victory stems from a year of vigorous campaigning at rallies with national leaders, guest appearances on major networks to attending tailgate events, church anniversaries, business openings, and captivating TV advertising. 

A surge in GOTV campaigns across the Magnolia State didn’t leave anything to chance. 

“The NAACP Mississippi State Conference showed what is possible when you invest in communities and organize year-round,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. Under the leadership of Charles Taylor, the team opened 11 field offices, knocked on more than 150,000 doors across 40 counties, sent 1.4 million text messages, mailed more than 700,000 pieces of voter outreach, and registered over 17,000 voters. 

SPLC, We Must Vote, ACLU, Children’s Defense Fund, MS Votes, One Voice, Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable, JXN People’s Assembly, Southern Echo, and several other GOTV campaigns also contributed to educating voters on issues affecting their quality of life.