Marcye Scott and Everton Blair Jr. advanced to an August 25 runoff in the special election to complete the term of the late Rep. David Scott, D-Ga. The runoff follows an inconclusive race where neither candidate secured the 50% majority needed for an outright victory.
According to the Associated Press, Marcye Scott acquired 47.5% of the vote, while Blair obtained 36.1%. With 85% of the expected votes counted, the race was called around 8:45 p.m. Eastern time. Republican Caesar Gonzales followed distantly, with 8.5% of the vote.
Determining the Interim Representative
The upcoming runoff will decide who fills the seat for the remaining weeks of the late congressman’s term before the winner of November’s election assumes office in January. This special election does not impact the forthcoming full two-year term. A separate primary occurred in May, and the general election will take place on November 3.
“Right after my dad passed, a lot of the City Council or the commissioners and chair people, they wanted to know what was going to happen with these projects,” Scott explained, underscoring her motivation for running.
Background of the Candidates
Marcye Scott, during her father’s funeral in May, declared her intention to complete his term. She emphasized her extensive experience working alongside her father and highlighted her involvement with his campaign, community, and constituent efforts.
Her opponent, Everton Blair Jr., a former Gwinnett County school board chair, brings an educational focus. With a doctorate in educational leadership from Harvard and a master’s degree from Stanford, Blair emphasizes his experience in both policy and leadership. Blair also participated in the regular May primary, finishing third.
Election Dynamics and District Profile
Georgia law stipulates that candidates must secure over 50% of the vote to win outright. If no one does, the top two proceed to a runoff. Six candidates appeared on the original ballot, though Democrat Tony Brown was disqualified after his check for the qualifying fee was returned.
The Georgia 13th Congressional District spans parts of Clayton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Henry, and Newton counties, and all of Rockdale County. In the 2024 general election, David Scott won the district with roughly 72% of the vote, mirroring then-Vice President Kamala Harris’s performance in the presidential race.
The winner of the runoff will join a closely divided U.S. House. Republicans hold 218 seats to the Democrats’ 212, with four vacancies. A Democratic victory in this special election would marginally increase their presence in the House.
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