Polls have closed in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District, where voters went to the polls Tuesday in a special election to determine who will serve out the remainder of the term left vacant by the death of Democratic Representative David Scott in April. The contest in the heavily Democratic suburban Atlanta district is expected to be decided by a primary-like field, with the winner likely to hold the seat through the November general election.
Scott, who served 12 terms in Congress, died at age 80 after a long career marked by both legislative work and occasional confrontational public behavior. His death created a vacancy in a district that includes communities such as Stockbridge, Conyers, and Snellville. The election is one of two unusual races on Tuesday, alongside a gubernatorial runoff in South Dakota, creating a split-screen political day.
The race has drawn several candidates, including Scott’s daughter, who has declared her intention to continue her father’s legacy. She told local media she plans to retain her father’s staff and focus on finishing out his term strongly, ensuring federal funds reach the district and ongoing projects are completed. She described her candidacy as a natural extension of a life spent around politics: «When he first got into politics, I wasn’t even born, so I ran for some type of office or campaign every two years of my life, so this is just my norm, I’m just picking up where we left off with him.»
Another candidate, Everton Blair, launched a primary bid against Scott before his death, citing frustration with the congressman’s performance. Blair, who previously challenged Scott at a town hall meeting, emphasized the need for a new generation of Democratic leadership. After Scott’s death, Blair continued his campaign, arguing that the party needs «leaders who are committed to solving real problems for working people.» The wave of younger candidates seeking to replace aging Democrats was previously dubbed the «Biden effect,» following President Joe Biden’s decision to step aside after a poor debate performance.
A third candidate, Carlos Moore, a former Mississippi judge, has also entered the race, criticizing Scott’s tenure and pledging to be a «leader who actually shows up.» Moore, however, faced a suspension from the bench after a bar tribunal found he mishandled a wrongful death settlement. When questioned about the infraction, he pointed to the legal challenges faced by former President Donald Trump.
Scott’s confrontational style was evident in his final years in Washington. In late 2025, he shouted expletives at a Politico photographer while being wheeled through the Capitol, demanding: «Who gave you the right to take my picture, a-hole?» His demeanor also led to a tense exchange with Blair at a Gwinnett County town hall, where Scott became agitated after being asked about his legislative strategy for safeguarding federal funds.
Meanwhile, in South Dakota, voters also headed to the polls for a gubernatorial runoff between incumbent Republican Governor Larry Rhoden and self-made millionaire bitcoin investor Toby Doeden. Rhoden assumed office after former Governor Kristi Noem became Homeland Security secretary. He failed to secure the nomination outright in the June primary, leading to the state’s first gubernatorial runoff. Rhoden is favored, but Doeden hopes for an upset driven by support from Sioux Falls. South Dakota has not elected a Democratic governor since the 1970s.
The Georgia election is expected to have a clear Democratic winner in the fall, given the district’s partisan lean. But the immediate special election will determine who represents the district for the remainder of Scott’s term. The results will likely be known later Tuesday night.
