Democrat Upsets Late Congressman's Daughter in Georgia

Democrat Upsets Late Congressman's Daughter in Georgia

The News

Former Gwinnett County School Board Chairman Everton Blair Jr. won Tuesday's special election runoff in Georgia's 13th Congressional District, defeating Marcye Scott, the daughter of the late Rep. David Scott.

NBC News projected Blair the winner with him leading 53% to 47% and 84% of the expected vote counted.

It was an upset. Blair had trailed Scott 46% to 38% in the first round of voting last month.

Blair will fill out the remainder of David Scott's term, which ends in January.

Timeline

April 22

Rep. David Scott dies at 80. He had represented the district for more than two decades and was the first black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. He was running for re-election at the time of his death.

July

Blair and Marcye Scott advance from a crowded all-party special primary after no candidate wins a majority. Scott finishes first, 46% to 38%.

Tuesday, Aug. 25

Polls in the 13th District open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. The district covers parts of Clayton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton and Rockdale counties in the Atlanta suburbs.

Tuesday night

Blair is projected the winner.

Reactions

Blair campaigned on a slate of progressive policies, including a tax on households making more than $50 million, Medicare for All, universal child care and large federal investments in clean energy tied to the "Green New Deal" push.

Marcye Scott ran as an extension of her father's legacy, saying she would "ensure the work already underway" advocating for the district continues.

What's Next

Blair's time in Washington will be short. State Rep. Jasmine Clark, who did not run in the special election, won the regularly scheduled primary for the seat and is the heavy favorite in November in this deep-blue district. Blair ran in that primary and lost to Clark.

Once Blair and California Democrat Aisha Wahab — who won a special election last week for former Rep. Eric Swalwell's seat — are sworn in, the Republican House majority will stand at 218-214, with one independent and two vacancies.

More

Scott had sought to become the second daughter in recent memory to succeed her late father in Congress. Last year, Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva won a special election for the seat held by her father, Rep. Raul Grijalva. She is running again this fall for a full two-year term.

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