U.S. Rep. David Scott is facing multiple Democratic primary opponents as he seeks a 12th term in Congress in a rapidly reshaped suburban Atlanta district. But with early voting underway ahead of the May 21 primary, the 78-year-old is trying to ignore his challenger and move toward renomination.
In some ways, the attacks on Scott are a microcosm of Democratic concerns about President Joe Biden, including claims that he is too old and isolated from younger voters. He is another example of how longtime lawmakers continue to serve their jobs well into old age, a drama that unfolded on a larger stage last year with the illness and death of California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein. It was done.
But Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University, said that unlike those cases, concerns about Scott’s health may not resonate widely.
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“It’s the kind of thing that gets talked about among insiders and politicians,” Gillespie said. “We don’t know how widespread it really is externally.”
Many voters still don’t know which district they currently live in. After a judge overturned Georgia’s previous congressional map as racially discriminatory, the judge approved a new Republican-drawn map with significant changes. Scott’s 13th District was pushed north and east into Rockdale County and parts of Newton and Gwinnett Counties.
Voters are quite confused. In Rockdale County, many residents were unaware that Mr. Scott was a member of Congress.
Democratic U.S. Rep. David Scott speaks to reporters at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on March 4, 2024, after qualifying to run for re-election to Congress in the 13th Congressional District in suburban Atlanta. Democratic challengers say Mr. Scott is old and uninterested, but the 78-year-old incumbent is ignoring them as he seeks his 12th term in Congress. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy, File)
“I don’t know much about David Scott other than he’s been in this area before,” said Beverly Dotson of Conyers. “I know he was in Congress for a while.”
Scott’s campaign has placed billboards and signs in the area, but has not made any public appearances. Democratic opponents say Scott’s absence from the Atlanta Press Club debate is typical of Scott’s absence.
“He wants to secretly run for office one more time. ‘Voters, give it one more try. One more time to hold the power of office until I die in office, retire, or give it away like a cigarette.’ Let us keep it,’” said attorney Brian Johnson, one of the opponents.
Scott dismissed such speculation when he became eligible to run in February.
“Thank God I’m healthy, active, and working for people,” Scott said. He said he is seeking a new term to strengthen funding for historically black colleges and universities, such as Fort Valley State University, and provide more support for struggling homeowners. Scott, until recently a member of the moderate Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, could become chairman of the House Agriculture Committee if Democrats regain the majority.
Among Scott’s opponents is Marcus Flowers. Marcus Flowers, an Army veteran and former military contractor, has raised a staggering $17 million from angry Democrats to run against Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in 2022. , which attracted national attention. Nationally, he received just 34% of the vote in Georgia’s heavily Republican 14th District in northwest Georgia.
Flowers is currently running against Scott because she believes Scott’s reliance on donations from businesses and political action committees means he is not responsive to the needs of the district. He said that Flowers said his own candidacy would be a continuation of his efforts in 2022, and if elected he would confront extremists.
“If there are enough people fighting against it and pushing back, I think some of our far-right and non-far-right members will stand up and push back,” Flowers said.
But Flowers’ fundraising ability doesn’t apply to this race. By March 31, Scott had raised nearly $1 million and had $545,000 in cash. Flowers said he raised $142,000 and spent all but $30,000.
The only other candidate to raise money is former East Point City Council member Karen Rene. She said if elected, she would use her experience in Congress and her work with federal employment programs to support local governments and promote business development.
“I’m running because I believe we can meet people and meet their needs wherever they are in our community,” Rene said.
Johnson and former South Fulton City Councilman Mark Baker are both running to Scott’s left.
“So I’m not running as a liberal or a conservative or anything like that, not as an experienced politician,” Johnson said during the debate. “I’m running as a true Democrat focused on Democratic issues.”
Mr. Baker argues that Mr. Scott is too friendly to Republicans. While on the South Fulton City Council, he said he advocated for an end to no-knock police raids, decriminalization of marijuana and reparations for descendants of slaves.
“He was asleep at the wheel for a long time, and now he’s supporting the Republicans who took away our rights,” Baker said of Scott.
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Other Democratic challengers include Rashid Malik, who wants the U.S. government to do more to end the Israel-Hamas war, and Uloma Kama, a doctor and public health advocate. If a majority vote is not achieved by May 21st, a runoff election will be held on June 18th. The winner will face either Jonathan Chavez or Josie Cruz Fletcher, the winner of the Republican primary, in November.
Scott did not respond to requests for an interview. But his wife, campaign adviser Alfredia Scott, said her husband was a better choice than any of the challengers.
“If a member decides to resign, they will not be kicked out,” she said. “He will resign.”
