Critics question if longtime Democratic congressman from Georgia is too old for reelection
CONYERS, Ga. — U.S. Rep. David Scott is facing multiple Democratic primary opponents in his quest for a 12th term in Congress in a vastly reshaped Atlanta suburb. But with early voting taking place ahead of the May 21 primary, the 78-year-old is ignoring challengers and seeking renomination.
Attacks on Scott are in some ways a microcosm of Democrats’ concerns about President Joe Biden, including claims that he is too old and out of touch with young voters. He is another example of how longtime members of Congress continue to serve even as they grow older, a drama that played out on a much bigger stage last year with the illness and death of California Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
But unlike these cases, concerns about Scott’s health may not resonate broadly, said Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University.
“It’s something that’s being talked about among insiders, among politicians,” Gillespie said. “I don’t know how well that’s actually spread outside.”
Many voters are still trying to figure out which district they live in now. After a judge struck down Georgia’s previous congressional map as racially discriminatory, he approved a new Republican-drawn map with major shifts. Scott’s 13th District was shifted north and east into Rockdale County and parts of Newton and Gwinnett counties.
Voters are more than a little confused. In Rockdale County, many residents were unaware that Scott is now their congressman.
“We don’t know much about David Scott other than he’s had this district before,” said Beverly Dotson of Conyers. “I know he’s been in Congress for a while.”
Scott’s campaign has defaced the neighborhood with billboards and signs, but he has not appeared in public. Democratic opponents say his failure to participate in a debate at the Atlanta Press Club is an example of Scott’s failure to act.
‘He hopes to sneak into the office again. “The voters are just doing it again – let me have one more chance to hold on to power in office until I die in office or retire or maybe pass it to someone like it’s a cigarette,” he said. an opponent, attorney Brian Johnson.
When he qualified to compete in February, Scott dismissed those speculations.
“Thank God I’m in good health, I’m moving and I’m doing the people’s work,” Scott said. He said he is seeking another term to increase funding for historically black colleges like Fort Valley State University, and to provide more assistance to struggling homeowners. Scott, until recently a member of Democrats’ moderate Blue Dog Coalition, could chair the House Agriculture Committee if Democrats regain the majority.
Scott’s opponents include Marcus Flowers, who rose to national prominence when the Army veteran and former military contractor raised as much as $17 million from outraged Democrats in 2022 to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Although Flowers outraised Greene — who himself is raising money nationally — he won just 34% of the vote in the heavily Republican 14th District in northwest Georgia.
Flowers said he is now running against Scott because he believes Scott’s reliance on contributions from corporations and political action committees means he is not focused on the district’s needs. Flowers said his run is a continuation of his efforts in 2022, saying he will confront extremists if elected.
“I think if you have enough people fighting that and resisting that, some of those members who are not far-right or far-right will come forward and push back,” Flowers said.
But Flowers’ ability to raise money doesn’t translate into this race. Scott raised nearly $1 million through March 31 and had $545,000 in cash on hand. Flowers raised $142,000 and spent all but $30,000.
The only other candidate who has raised money is former East Point City Councilwoman Karen René. She said if elected, she would leverage her experience on the council and her work on a federal jobs program to help local governments and promote business development.
“I participate because I believe I can meet people where they are in their community and meet their needs,” René said.
Both Johnson and former South Fulton City Councilman Mark Baker are running to Scott’s left.
“So I’m not acting as an experienced politician, and not as a liberal or conservative or anything like that,” Johnson said during the debate. “I run as a true Democrat focused on Democratic issues.”
Baker argues that Scott has been too friendly to Republicans. He said that while on the South Fulton council, he advocated ending police raids, decriminalizing marijuana and paying reparations to descendants of slaves.
“He was asleep at the wheel for a long time and he supported the Republicans who have now taken away our rights,” Baker said of Scott.
Other Democratic challengers include Rashid Malik, who wants the US government to do more to end the war between Israel and Hamas, and Uloma Kama, a doctor and public health advocate. If no one wins a majority on May 21, a second round will take place on June 18. The winner will face the winner of the Republican primary, Jonathan Chavez or Johsie Cruz Fletcher, in November.
Scott did not respond to requests for an interview. But his wife and close campaign adviser Alfredia Scott said her husband is a better choice than any of his challengers.
“If the congressman decides to leave, he will not be expelled,” she said. “He will bow.”