Full Breakdown
Everton Blair Wins Georgia’s 13th District Special Election Runoff
8/26/2026, 4:19:28 AM
Core Event
Former Gwinnett County School Board chair Everton Blair Jr. defeated Marcye Scott, daughter of the late Rep. David Scott, in the August runoff for Georgia’s 13th Congressional District. With roughly 95 % of precincts reporting, Blair led 53 % to 47 % (Associated Press, cited by Bloomberg Government and CBS News) and 52 % to 48 % per the Georgia Secretary of State. The win lets Blair serve the remainder of Scott’s term, ending January 2027.
Background & Context
Rep. David Scott, who had held the seat for 12 terms, died on April 22 at age 80, prompting a special election. The district—parts of Rockdale, Clayton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Henry and Newton counties—is a deep-blue, Black-majority area that has consistently elected Democrats; Scott won his 2024 re-election with about 72 % of the vote.
In the July 28 special primary, no candidate earned a majority. Blair placed second with 38 % behind Marcye Scott’s 46 % (Bloomberg Government; CBS News). The top two advanced to the August runoff.
Timeline
- April 22 – Rep. David Scott passes away.
- May 19 – Democratic primary for the full-term seat; Blair receives roughly 12 % of the vote.
- July 28 – Special primary; Blair trails Scott 38 % to 46 %.
- Early August – Runoff; Blair wins with a margin reported between 52 %–53 %.
- January 2027 – End of the current congressional term.
Data & Statistics
- Runoff vote share: 53 % for Blair vs. 47 % for Scott (AP); 52 % vs. 48 % per the Secretary of State.
- Primary performance: Blair earned just under 12 % in the May 19 Democratic primary.
- House composition impact: Before the runoff Republicans held 218 seats to Democrats’ 212. After Blair and California Democrat Aisha Wahab are sworn in, the Republican majority narrows to a four- or five-seat edge.
Official Statements & Responses
- Marcye Scott framed her campaign as a continuation of her father’s legacy, pledging to “ensure the work already underway.”
- Everton Blair ran on a progressive platform that includes a wealth tax on households earning over $50 million, “Medicare for All,” universal childcare, and large federal clean-energy investments.
- State Rep. Jasmine Clark, the Democratic nominee for the November race, is described as the heavy favorite (NBC News; CBS News).
- Republican nominee Jonathan James Chavez will face Clark in November; he lost to Scott in 2024 by more than 40 points.
Why It Matters / Impact
Blair’s victory reduces the Republican majority in the U.S. House to between four and five seats, tightening margins on legislation in the final months of the 118th Congress. The race also underscores the growing influence of progressive proposals within a traditionally Democratic district.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Runoff percentages differ: Bloomberg Government and CBS News cite 53 %–47 %, while Atlanta News First reports 52 %–48 % based on Secretary of State data.
- House majority numbers vary: The New York Times notes a 218-212 Republican advantage; NBC News projects a 218-214 split after Blair’s swearing-in; CBS News describes the margin as five seats.
What’s Next
The 13th District will hold its regular general election on Nov. 3, 2026. Democrat Jasmine Clark will seek a full term against Republican Jonathan James Chavez. Blair will serve only until January 2027 and is not a candidate for the November ballot. The November outcome will determine the district’s party control for the next congressional cycle.
