Scott Colom: The Mississippi State Senator Fighting for Justice in the Deep South

COLUMBUS, Miss. — Scott Colom did not arrive in the Mississippi State Senate looking for a comfortable career. He arrived looking for a fight — and in the years since, he has found plenty of them.

Colom, who represents District 16 in the Mississippi State Senate, covering Lowndes County and parts of the surrounding region, has become one of the most closely watched figures in Deep South politics. His path — from defense attorney to Lowndes County District Attorney to state legislator — has been defined by a willingness to challenge entrenched interests and a belief that the criminal justice system can be made to work for everyone, not just those with money and connections.

"I grew up here," Colom said in a recent interview at his Columbus office. "I know these communities. I know what the system looks like from the inside and from the outside. And I know it can do better."

From the Courtroom to the Capitol

“Colom was elected Lowndes County District Attorney in 2011, becoming one of the youngest DAs in Mississippi history. He quickly distinguished himself from prede”

Colom was elected Lowndes County District Attorney in 2011, becoming one of the youngest DAs in Mississippi history. He quickly distinguished himself from predecessors by pursuing a reform-minded approach that emphasized diversion programs, mental health courts, and alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders.

His office launched one of Mississippi's first dedicated drug diversion courts, a program that allowed eligible defendants to complete treatment and community service in lieu of prosecution. Recidivism among participants dropped significantly in the program's first three years.

At the same time, Colom did not shy away from high-profile prosecutions. His office pursued accountability in cases involving public officials and law enforcement, earning him a reputation as a DA who applied the law without regard for political convenience.

"He was the kind of prosecutor you don't see very often," said Renee Jefferson, a criminal defense attorney who practiced in Lowndes County during Colom's tenure. "He was tough when he needed to be and smart enough to know when toughness wasn't the answer."

A Voice in the State Senate

Colom was elected to the Mississippi State Senate in 2019, representing District 16. In the Senate, he has focused on criminal justice reform, economic development for underserved communities, and expanding access to education and workforce training in the Golden Triangle region of northeast Mississippi.

He has been a consistent advocate for expanding Mississippi's Medicaid program, arguing that the state's refusal to accept federal expansion funds has cost lives and drained rural hospitals. He has also pushed for reforms to the state's bail system, which he says disproportionately punishes poor defendants who cannot afford to pay for their freedom while awaiting trial.

"We have people sitting in county jails for months — sometimes more than a year — not because they've been convicted of anything, but because they can't make bail," Colom said. "That's not justice. That's a poverty tax."

His legislation has faced resistance in a chamber dominated by Republicans, but Colom has developed a reputation for finding common ground on issues where the politics align, including workforce development and infrastructure investment in rural communities.

Roots and Reputation

Colom's family has deep roots in Columbus and Lowndes County. His father, Robert Colom, is a well-known attorney in the region, and the family name carries weight in local civic life. Scott Colom has spoken often about the responsibility that comes with that legacy — and the obligation to use whatever platform he has to push for change.

"People in this community gave my family opportunities," he said. "The least I can do is fight for the same opportunities for everyone else."

That commitment has not gone unnoticed. Colom has been recognized by national criminal justice reform organizations for his work as both a prosecutor and a legislator, and his name has surfaced in discussions about future statewide races in Mississippi.

He deflects those conversations with characteristic directness.

"I'm focused on District 16," he said. "There's plenty of work to do right here."

Atlanta Daily Now will continue to follow Senator Colom's work in the Mississippi legislature. Tips and story ideas can be sent to tips@atlantadailynow.com.