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It was a busy summer week when I got a call from the fundraiser for Scott Colom, now Mississippi’s newest senator-elect, asking me to meet with him. I don't like to turn down meetings, even when it's with a Democrat running for the Senate in the very, very red state of Mississippi. I'll admit, I was skeptical. But I was curious enough to say yes and drive through Friday traffic from our Highland Park office to Chicago.
The first thing I noticed about Scott was his huge smile and genuine warmth. He's a big guy, filled from tip to toe with enthusiasm and energy. As he told me about his race, I became increasingly curious about what would drive someone to take on a challenge with such long odds. Was he simply a modern-day Don Quixote?
Scott talked about the enormous challenges facing Mississippi. It has the second-highest poverty rate in the country and the lowest median household income. One in four children lives in poverty, and access to healthcare, especially in rural communities, is a serious problem. It was clear this wasn't just about getting elected. He genuinely wanted to make life better for the people of his state.
While attention was focused on major races like Ohio, Georgia, and Michigan, Scott was traveling to the far corners of his state, meeting voters, listening to them, and assuring them he wouldn't forget them. All politics is local, as former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill (MA) said. Scott was also determined to build a Democratic Party and infrastructure for the future.
We also talked candidly about JAC's issues, Israel, and the Middle East. Although he didn't have much experience in the area, he understood Israel's importance as a strategic partner to the U.S. He was open to learning more and genuinely wanted to hear JAC’s perspective. He also assured me he would be an ally in combating antisemitism.
Coffee with Scott is exactly what JAC has been doing for more than 40 years. We meet candidates, including those running in races others might overlook. We use that as an opportunity to have an honest conversation and to educate. In the process, we are sometimes lucky to discover someone special who has the “right stuff” to make a difference in our country.
I walked into that coffee shop wondering whether a Democrat could win in Mississippi. I walked out believing Scott was worth taking a chance on. He could pull it off.
On election night, Scott told his supporters, "All I did was have the courage to imagine a night like this. I had the courage to believe …”
I thought back to our meeting over the summer. That courage and belief were exactly what I had seen across the table. JAC was proud to support Scott, and his victory holds a special place for me. We look forward to partnering on issues to protect our values and democracy.
Join me at our next candidate meeting. You just never know when you might meet someone like Scott who is about to make history.
Candidates matter.
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