Special election to fill late Georgia congressman’s seat advances to an August runoff

The two Democrats will face off on Aug. 25 and that winner will serve a few months before the next term begins in January. State Rep. Jasmine Clark, who did not run in the special election, won the May primary and is expected to easily beat her Republican opponent in the safe Democratic seat in November and represent the district for a full term starting next year.

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Blair, who placed third in the May primary for a full term, touted his experience in elected office and as the only candidate in the special election runoff who lives in the district and said he is ready to serve the district immediately. He said that he had “not seen anything but a continuation of what has been” from Scott, and that as a progressive, he’ll continue to fight against the current administration and work to lower living costs in the district.

“I’m the only Democrat that has been in the community representing us and serving this district in the capacities that have been most significant for everyday people,” Blair said.

Scott could not be reached for a comment Tuesday night. In a social media post, she thanked her supporters but said “the work isn’t finished.”

“I am incredibly grateful to everyone who believed in this campaign and helped us reach this moment. From our volunteers and supporters to every voter who put their trust in me — thank you,” Scott wrote.

In a previous interview, Scott said she entered the race with a focus on providing stability for the district’s constituents, saying that she would focus on ensuring that funding for earmarked projects that her late father requested reaches the district. Despite not living within its boundaries, she said that she’s known the district since it was created in 2002 when she first campaigned alongside her father, and that she already has established relationships with local leaders.

Scott’s father died in April after serving in Congress for more than two decades and left the seat unexpectedly vacant after he had qualified in early March to serve another term. 

The day before the special election, Scott said in a heartfelt social media post that running for her father’s seat “has been one of the most meaningful — and emotional — journeys of [her] life,” pointing to stories constituents recalled of her father on the campaign trail.

“I never imagined walking this path without my Daddy physically by my side. I missed my father’s guidance, his wisdom, and the quiet confidence he always gave me,” she said. “But everywhere I traveled across Georgia’s 13th Congressional District, I was reminded that I was not walking alone.”

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