Georgia's 13th District Runoff to Fill Late Rep. David Scott's Seat

Voters in Georgia's 13th Congressional District will select a new representative on Tuesday in a special runoff prompted by the death of Democratic Rep. David Scott on April 22. The contest features former Gwinnett County School Board Chair Everton Blair against Marcye Scott, the late congressman's daughter, both of whom led the July 28 all-party special election where Scott secured roughly 46% of the vote and Blair about 38%.

The winner will complete the final months of Scott's term but is not slated to run for the full seat that begins on Jan. 3, 2027; that contest will see State Rep. Jasmine Clark facing Republican Jonathan Chavez. The outcome will shave a few seats from the narrow Republican majority in the U.S. House. Blair's strongest support came from Gwinnett County, where he received 56%, while Scott carried the other five counties, especially DeKalb, Clayton and Henry.

Early and absentee ballots, comprising about 47% of the July 28 vote, are already being counted, with roughly 5,200 ballots submitted so far. The runoff coincides with a special session on redistricting called by Governor Brian Kemp, though GOP leaders opted not to act.