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U.S. Rep. David Scott faces aggregate Democratic superior opponents successful his quest for a 12th legislature word successful a sharply reconfigured suburban Atlanta district. But pinch early voting underway up of nan May 21 superior elections, nan 78-year-old is ignoring challengers and trying to glide to renomination.
Attacks connected Scott are successful immoderate ways a microcosm of Democrats' concerns astir President Joe Biden, including claims that he's excessively aged and that he's disconnected from young voters. He's different illustration of really longtime members of Congress proceed to service moreover arsenic they age, a play that played retired connected a overmuch larger shape past twelvemonth pinch nan unwellness and decease of California Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
But dissimilar those cases, concerns astir Scott's wellness whitethorn not beryllium resonating broadly, said Andra Gillespie, an Emory University governmental scientist.
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"It’s nan benignant of point that is talked astir among insiders, among politicos," Gillespie said. "I don’t cognize really good that’s really benignant of been disseminated outside."
Many voters are still figuring retired what territory they now unrecorded in. After a judge overturned Georgia's erstwhile legislature representation arsenic racially discriminatory, he approved a new Republican-drawn map pinch large shifts. Scott's 13th District was shoved northbound and eastbound into Rockdale County and parts of Newton and Gwinnett counties.
Voters are much than a small confused. In Rockdale County, galore residents didn't recognize Scott is now their personnel of Congress.
Democratic U.S. Rep. David Scott speaks to reporters, March 4, 2024, astatine nan Georgia Capitol successful Atlanta, aft qualifying to tally for reelection to Congress successful suburban Atlanta's 13th Congressional District. Although Democratic challengers opportunity Scott is aged and retired of touch, nan 78-year-old incumbent is ignoring them arsenic he seeks a 12th word successful Congress. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy, File)
"We don't cognize a batch astir David Scott, too him having had this territory before," said Beverly Dotson of Conyers. "I cognize he's been successful Congress for a while."
Scott's run has plastered nan territory pinch advertisements and signs, but he hasn't been making nationalist appearances. Democratic opponents opportunity his nonaccomplishment to participate successful an Atlanta Press Club statement exemplifies Scott's absenteeism.
"He’s hoping to sneak successful agency 1 much time. ‘Voters conscionable do it 1 much clip — fto maine get 1 much changeable astatine holding onto powerfulness successful agency until I dice successful agency aliases discontinue aliases possibly walk it disconnected to personification for illustration it’s a cigarette,’" said 1 opponent, lawyer Brian Johnson.
When he qualified to tally successful February, Scott dismissed those speculations.
"Thank God I’m successful bully health, moving and doing nan people’s work," Scott said. He said he's seeking different word to heighten backing for historically Black colleges specified arsenic Fort Valley State University, and to supply much assistance to struggling homeowners. Scott, until precocious a personnel of nan Democrats' mean Blue Dog Coalition, could chair nan House Agriculture Committee if Democrats regain nan majority.
Among Scott's opponents is Marcus Flowers, who roseate to nationalist announcement erstwhile nan Army seasoned and erstwhile subject contractor raised an astounding $17 cardinal from outraged Democrats to situation Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene successful 2022. Although Flowers outraised Greene — who herself rakes successful money nationwide — he won only 34% of votes successful northwest Georgia's heavy Republican 14th District.
Flowers said he's now moving against Scott because he believes Scott's reliance connected contributions from corporations and governmental action committees intends he isn't oriented to nan district's needs. Flowers said his tally continues his 2022 effort, saying he will face extremists if elected.
"I deliberation if you person capable group who are retired location fighting and pushing backmost against that, past immoderate of those members who aren’t connected nan acold correct aliases nan utmost correct will measurement up and push back," Flowers said.
But Flowers’ fundraising expertise isn't translating to this race. Scott raised astir a cardinal dollars done March 31 and had $545,000 successful rate connected hand. Flowers raised $142,000 and spent each but $30,000.
The only different campaigner who has raised immoderate money is erstwhile East Point City Councilmember Karen René. She said that if elected, she would tie connected her acquisition connected nan assembly and her activity for a national jobs programme to thief section governments and beforehand business development.
"I’m moving because I judge I tin meet group wherever they are in their communities, addressing their needs," René said.
Both Johnson and erstwhile South Fulton City Councilman Mark Baker are moving to Scott's left.
"So I’m moving not arsenic an knowledgeable politician, and not arsenic a wide aliases blimpish aliases immoderate of those things," Johnson said during nan debate. "I'm moving arsenic an existent Democrat focused connected Democratic issues."
Baker argues Scott has been excessively friends pinch Republicans. He said that while connected nan South Fulton council, he advocated for ending no-knock constabulary raids, decriminalizing marijuana and paying reparations to descendants of slaves.
"He’s been dormant down nan instrumentality for a agelong time, and he supported Republicans who now person taken our authorities away," Baker said of Scott.
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Other Democratic challengers are Rashid Malik, who wants nan U.S. authorities to do much to extremity nan Israel-Hamas War, and Uloma Kama, a expert and nationalist wellness advocate. A runoff would beryllium held June 18 if nary 1 wins a mostly connected May 21. The victor will look nan victor of nan Republican primary, either Jonathan Chavez aliases Johsie Cruz Fletcher, successful November.
Scott hasn’t replied to requests for an interview. But his woman and adjacent run advisor Alfredia Scott said her hubby is simply a amended prime than immoderate of his challengers.
"When nan congressman decides to leave, he won’t beryllium pushed out," she said. "He will front out."
