National Democrats have recently infused over $1 million into Scott Colom’s campaign to unseat Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, a move that has sparked mixed reactions within the party. While the financial support is undoubtedly a boost for Colom, some party members believe this help has arrived too late in the game to make a significant impact.

Representative Bennie Thompson, Mississippi’s most prominent Democrat, expressed his appreciation for the support but noted his frustration with the timing. “Anything is appreciated, and I don’t want to seem like people here are not appreciative. But, we’ve been singing this song for almost a year,” Thompson remarked in an interview. He emphasized that earlier recognition and support from entities like the Senate Majority PAC could have been more beneficial to Colom, a sentiment echoed by other Democrats pushing for more substantial and timely investments in similar races.

Scott Colom himself sees the late support as a sign that national perceptions about Mississippi’s readiness for political change are aligning with local sentiments. “Mississippi people are ready for a new direction. They’re ready to fire Cindy Hyde-Smith. They want somebody that’s going to actually look out for our state,” Colom stated, highlighting the growing national awareness of the state’s political climate.

This scenario is not unique to Mississippi. In Florida, Democrat Angie Nixon is challenging GOP Senator Ashley Moody and shares similar concerns about the national party’s investment strategy. Despite recent support from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), including fundraising events with high-profile Democrats, Nixon stresses the need for more proactive engagement. “I can win. I’m going to win. We just need people to really lean into this moment right now,” she urged during an interview with Dasha Burns for The Conversation.

The DSCC, while declining to comment on specific campaign strategies, acknowledged the inspiring and energetic campaigns of Nixon and Colom. DSCC spokesperson Maeve Coyle stated, “Our group is committed to expanding the map as much as possible,” even amidst the challenges posed by limited resources and a surge of Republican funding.

Thompson’s broader critique highlights a strategic issue within the Democratic Party: the need for earlier and sustained investment in candidates who can mobilize significant voter bases, such as the African American community in Southern states. “The South in general is ripe for Democrats, but it has to be a sustained investment,” he explained, adding that such engagement should not be limited to the weeks leading up to an election.

What else we’re watching: The Democrats also face internal debates over trade policy and a priority to spotlight the Trump administration’s immigration policies if they gain more power in Congress. Notably, they plan to scrutinize Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s handling of various departmental issues, signaling a potentially intense oversight agenda in the coming months.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the timing and allocation of campaign resources by the Democratic Party remain topics of significant discussion and potential reevaluation.