Georgia’s 13th Congressional District is now headed for two separate elections following the death of longtime U.S. Rep. David Scott — a structure that is likely to confuse voters and reshape the race.
The regularly scheduled primary will move forward as planned for a full term beginning in January, with the current slate of candidates already locked in. Scott’s name will remain on the ballot, but votes cast for him will not be counted, according to the Secretary of State’s office. No new candidates can enter that race.
At the same time, Gov. Brian Kemp has scheduled a special election for July 28 to fill the remainder of Scott’s current term. Qualifying for that contest has not yet taken place, but some candidates are already signaling plans to run in both elections.
Among them are Scott’s daughter, Marcye Scott, and Everton Blair, who is already running in the regularly scheduled primary.
The unusual setup effectively creates two overlapping contests for the same seat — one to fill the immediate vacancy and another to determine who will serve the next full term — forcing candidates to navigate two timelines at once.
That dynamic is already shaping the race.
With multiple candidates and broadly similar policy platforms, both contests are likely to hinge less on policy differences and more on positioning — who can stand out in a crowded field and consolidate support quickly enough to advance.
Across the field, candidates have largely aligned on core issues, including expanding Medicaid, increasing funding for public education and protecting democratic institutions. That overlap increases the likelihood that neither race will produce an outright winner on the first ballot, making runoffs a strong possibility.
Scott leaves behind a long political legacy. First elected to Congress in 2002, he became the first Black lawmaker to lead the House Agriculture Committee, serving in that role, including as ranking member, until 2023. His career in public office began decades earlier, with 28 years in the Georgia General Assembly.
In recent years, however, questions about his age and visibility in the district became part of the broader conversation around the seat — a dynamic that has carried over into the current race.
State Rep. Jasmine Clark was among those who raised concerns, citing records later verified by multiple outlets showing Scott had not voted in six consecutive elections dating back to May 2024. Scott voted absentee in that primary.
“I cannot fathom any elected official asking constituents for their votes every two years while not even bothering to vote himself,” Clark had said in a statement. “We need leaders who do everything possible to turn out voters up and down the ballot in 2026.”
The candidates now competing for the seat bring a mix of political, professional and outsider backgrounds — though their policy platforms often overlap.
Blair, a former Atlanta Public Schools math teacher and ex-Gwinnett County school board chair, has centered his campaign on education and economic access, including down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.
“The average age of a first-time homebuyer is now 41,” Blair said. “We need leadership willing to challenge corporate interests and expand access to opportunity.”
Clark, a microbiologist and Emory University professor who serves in the Georgia House, has emphasized a data-driven approach and public health expertise.
“I’m running to bring a scientific voice to Washington and confront misinformation,” she said during a recent Atlanta Press Club debate. “My approach is rooted in data and focused on lowering costs for working families.”
Dr. Heavenly Kimes, a Duluth-based dentist and television personality, has focused on affordability and access to care, drawing on her own experience using public assistance while in school.
“I see patients every day forced to choose between bills and care,” Kimes said. “We don’t need another politician — we need someone who understands both the challenges and the solutions.”
State Sen. Emmanuel Jones, a longtime lawmaker and business owner, has made access to capital a central part of his platform.
“In this economy, many businesses are struggling,” Jones said. “We need to lower borrowing costs and expand SBA-backed lending so entrepreneurs in District 13 can grow and succeed.”
With qualifying for the special election still ahead and the primary already underway, the field remains unsettled — and likely to shift further as candidates decide whether to compete in one race or both.
For voters, the result is a rare and somewhat confusing setup: two elections, two timelines and potentially two different outcomes for the same seat.
