Copyright Newsweek
Representative David Scott, an 80-year-old Democrat from Georgia’s 13th Congressional District, is facing renewed scrutiny after public records revealed that he has not voted in six consecutive elections, including the 2024 presidential contest. Five Democrats have now announced plans to challenge him for his seat in 2026. Newsweek contacted Scott's office for comment via email outside normal office hours on Friday. Why It Matters Scott’s failure to vote in six consecutive elections has become more than a local controversy—it’s a test case for how long-serving lawmakers balance seniority with accountability. It highlights growing frustration within the Democratic Party over aging leadership and raises questions about whether incumbents who no longer appear fully engaged can still represent their constituents effectively. As younger Georgia Democrats like Jasmine Clark and Everton Blair call for new energy and visibility, Scott’s record has become a symbol of the broader struggle between institutional loyalty and generational renewal in Congress. What To Know In what is being called the latest example of the “Biden effect,” after a tense town hall exchange, one constituent said that Congress should not serve as a “retirement community.” Georgia’s 13th District remains a safely Democratic seat, but the 2026 primary is shaping up as one of the state’s most closely watched intraparty contests. Who Are The Challengers Scott faced six Democratic challengers in 2024 but won the primary with nearly 58 percent of the vote. This cycle, he faces five opponents: Dr. Jasmine Clark, 42—A microbiologist, Emory University lecturer and state representative from Lilburn, Clark has positioned herself as a science-based policymaker and voting rights advocate. She is challenging Scott after obtaining public records showing he failed to vote in six consecutive elections. Everton Blair, 32—A former Gwinnett County Board of Education member and White House fellow under President Barack Obama, Blair holds a Ph.D. in education from Harvard and a master’s degree from Stanford. He is running on a message of generational change. Simeon Nunnally, 37—An Army veteran new to politics, Nunnally is positioning himself as a grassroots candidate focused on service and accountability. Emanuel Jones, 66—A longtime Georgia state senator from DeKalb County, Jones has served in the legislature since 2004 and brings established name recognition and legislative experience to the race. Jonathan Bonner, 29—A local Democratic Party organizer and community advocate, Bonner is emphasizing voter engagement and stronger local representation within the district. The Case Against Scott Clark obtained information through a Georgia Open Records Act request showing that Scott has not voted in six consecutive elections and released the data publicly this week. According to records from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, Scott has not cast a ballot since May 2024—failing to vote in the 2024 presidential election, multiple Public Service Commission races, and local runoffs in Fulton County and Atlanta. “Our right to vote is sacred and consistently under attack,” Clark said in a press statement released Thursday. “I cannot fathom any elected official asking his constituents for their votes every two years while not even bothering to go vote himself.” She added that Scott “hasn’t shown up for his community when it really matters, and now we know that he can’t even be trusted to show up to vote when democracy is on the line.” Scott has been a registered Georgia voter since 1970 and, according to the records cited by Clark’s campaign, did not request an absentee ballot, vote early or appear at polling places during the elections in question. Mounting Concerns About Age And Health The revelation comes as Scott faces increasing questions about his age and ability to serve. The congressman, who first took office in 2003, is the ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee and previously served as its chair. A series of reports by Politico beginning in 2022 described concerns among fellow Democrats, staff and lobbyists about his performance and communication difficulties. In interviews, more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers and aides cited episodes in which Scott appeared unable to complete his thoughts or remember previous conversations. One Democratic member of the Agriculture Committee said, “I have the utmost respect for Chairman Scott. But he could be doing a better job. I don’t necessarily know if it’s his health or what, but something is wrong.” Scott denied any issues at the time, attributing criticism to “a bunch of wannabe chairmen” seeking to replace him. Concerns resurfaced last year after several public incidents. In December, Scott was observed being pushed in a wheelchair outside the Capitol and shouting at a photographer, “Who gave you the right to take my picture, a******?” Then, during a February 2025 hearing, Scott delivered an extended and meandering statement on tariffs before being cut off for exceeding his allotted time. “You have the president just using these tariffs as a means of fight or like a war,” Scott said during the session, according to the official committee transcript. “Everybody is not going to be Mexico or Canada.” Scott has not directly addressed the incidents and has largely limited public appearances in recent months. The Generational Challenge So far this year, three Democratic members of Congress over age 70—Representatives Gerry Connolly, Sylvester Turner and Raúl Grijalva—have died, temporarily widening the GOP’s narrow majority in the House. Scott is among the party’s remaining senior lawmakers facing renewed scrutiny over age and succession. Blair, who is nearly 50 years younger than Scott, told Fox News Digital that Congress “shouldn’t be a retirement community,” adding: “It’s a huge concern for Democrats to accomplish our agenda and to be in touch with the issues of today if we don’t proactively broaden our bench.” He launched his campaign after a tense exchange with Scott during a January town hall in which he said the congressman’s dismissive tone “crystallized” his decision to run. Democratic strategist Fred Hicks says that challengers must explain how they will represent the district more effectively than Scott. “If Democrats are in a minority, what you gonna do different?” Hicks said. “Why should I fire David Scott and why should I hire you? And I don’t know that there is a solid answer other than, ‘You’ll see me in the district more.’” Political analysts say the race reflects a broader generational reckoning within the Democratic Party. Looking Ahead Scott has faced multiple challengers in past elections, but this time he appears more vulnerable as questions about his health and visibility grow and the district’s new boundaries bring in younger voters from Gwinnett County, where Blair previously served. For now, Scott has given no indication that he intends to retire. During his last campaign, he said: “Thank God I’m in good health, moving and doing the people’s work.” What People Are Saying Everton Blair told Fox News on April 28: “We just had two Democratic members die within weeks at a time when every vote counts.…It’s a huge concern for Democrats to accomplish our agenda and to be in touch with the issues of today if we don’t proactively broaden our bench,” while adding in another interview: “At a certain point, you just have to be able to do the job, and there are plenty of people who can do this job better.” What Happens Next The next phase will unfold in Georgia’s 2026 Democratic primary in which younger challengers are framing his missed votes and age as evidence of a need for new leadership. Party officials are unlikely to publicly urge him to retire but may quietly prepare for a transition on the House Agriculture Committee if concerns about his engagement persist.
