Scott’s rivals take a break from politics after longtime Georgia congressman’s death upends election

Georgia U.S. Rep. David Scott’s death has upended next month’s primary election, when the longtime Democratic lawmaker had planned to defend the metro Atlanta seat against a crowded field of intraparty challengers.

Scott, the first and only elected official to represent the 13th Congressional District after it was created in the early 2000s, qualified to run for another term last month, when he dodged reporters and raised even more questions about his fitness to serve. That means his name will appear on the ballot for the May 19 state primary election, according to Mike Hassinger, a spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office. 

Early voting begins Monday and ballots for the May primary are already being mailed out to absentee and overseas voters, meaning it is too late for county election officials to remove Scott’s name from the ballot. Instead, Hassinger said, counties will post signs at all polling places notifying voters that any votes cast for Scott will not be counted in the official tally. Counties are also responsible for notifying absentee and overseas voters of the change.

Scott’s death also triggers a special election to fill the remainder of his term, which ends on Jan. 3, 2027, but it remains to be seen when a special election will take place. Under state law, Gov. Brian Kemp has 10 days to issue a writ of election to fill Scott’s seat, though Kemp’s office did not respond to a question Wednesday about when he’ll call one.