Special election called for David Scott's seat in Atlanta-area district

Some Atlanta-area voters will be busy this summer at the polls following the death of U.S. Congressman David Scott.

Scott, a representative for Georgia's 13th congressional district, died unexpectedly on April 22 at the age of 80, just a day after casting a vote in the House of Representatives.

Scott was running for reelection in the 2026 midterm, despite conversations circling on Capitol Hill and back home about his health.

The longtime politician represented parts of Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Newton, Gwinnett and DeKalb Counties in the Atlanta metro area, a deep blue district.

When is the special election for David Scott's seat?

Gov. Brian Kemp set a special election to fill Scott's seat for July 28. Because the seat was up for reelection this cycle, the special election will only fill the seat through the end of Scott's term.

Candidates hoping to replace Scott for the next term, beginning in January 2027, will be on the ballot during the May 19 primary (and a possible June 19 runoff), as well as the general midterm election in November.

Everton Blair, Jasmine Clark, Jeffree Fauntleroy, Emanuel Jones, Heavenly Kimes and Joe Lester are running in the Democratic primary. The candidates recently hit the debate stage with the Atlanta Press Club to talk about the election.

Whomever wins the Democratic primary will face Jonathan James Chavez, the sole Republican who qualified to run for the seat, in November.

It is the first time Scott has not been on the ticket since the district was created after the 2000 census. His name will still appear on primary ballots because his death occurred after ballots were printed, Kemp said, but votes for him will not be counted.

Scott's daughter announces bid to finish father's term

During Scott's funeral at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta Saturday, his daughter, Marcye Scott, said she intended to run in the special election to replace her late father.

"He would have it no other way," she said during remarks at his celebration of life.

Early voting for the primary election has already begun, so Marcye Scott will not be able to be added to that race, but the qualifying dates for the special election have not been announced. If she is added to that ballot, she may be able to win the remainder of his term before a new representative who wins in November begins in January.

"That would be what I definitely want to do, to make sure that his voters, his constituents, do not miss out on what he was offering," she said during the funeral.

She said her campaign would be starting "very soon."

Scott's public service celebrated

Concerns about Scott's health circulated Capitol Hill in recent years, but it didn't stop him from seeking another term. A cause of death was not initially released and Scott's office said his death was "unexpected." His office later confirmed he died of natural causes.

Scott served in congress for more than two decades after working in the Georgia General Assembly beginning in 1974.

He moved to Atlanta after finishing his education and started an advertising business, Dayn-Mark Advertising. He married Alfredia Aaron, becoming the brother-in-law of Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron.

The representative first worked in politics in 1972 when he joined Andrew Young's congressional campaign, to Young's success. He ran on his own in 1974 and was elected to the Georgia State House, where he served until 1982.

In his 24 years in Congress, Scott served on the Financial Services Committee, Agriculture Committee and NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

According to his office, Scott was focused on climate change, criminal justice and law enforcement reform, education, healthcare, housing, immigration, labor and employment, transportation and infrastructure, veterans affairs and more during his tenure.

Irene Wright covers politics in Georgia as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].