Progressive Democrat Everton Blair defeated Marcye Scott, daughter of the late U.S. Rep. David Scott, in Tuesday’s special runoff for Georgia’s 13th Congressional District.
Unofficial results from the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office showed Blair winning 53.2% of the vote, or 8,833 ballots, while Scott received 46.8%, or 7,765. The Associated Press called the race at approximately 8:38 p.m.
The result reversed the order from the July 28 special election. Scott led that five-candidate contest with 46.8%, while Blair finished second with 36.7%. Because no candidate crossed 50%, the two Democrats advanced to a runoff.
Blair, 34, previously chaired the Gwinnett County Board of Education and was the first Black member elected to that body.
He ran as a progressive, supporting Medicare for All, criticizing Israel’s reliance on U.S. tax dollars and political influence, and promising to oppose President Donald Trump’s agenda. Democratic U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia and several former primary opponents endorsed him before the runoff.
Blair will complete David Scott’s term, which ends Jan. 3, 2027, and his arrival will narrow Republicans’ already slim House majority. The seat had remained vacant since Scott died April 22 after more than two decades in Congress.
The special election does not decide who represents the district for the next full term. Democratic state Rep. Jasmine Clark, who won the regular May primary with 56.1%, will face Republican Jonathan Chavez in November. Blair finished third in that primary with 11.6%.
The heavily Democratic district includes portions of Clayton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton and Rockdale counties. David Scott won reelection there with nearly 72% of the vote in 2024.
