Longtime Democrat Congressman dies at 80; Legal shortcomings of VA’s gerrymandering efforts exposed in judicial finding
GA-13
Veteran Georgia Congressman David Scott (D-Atlanta) passed away yesterday, making him the fifth House member to die during this Congress. Mr. Scott was first elected to the House from his Atlanta metro district in 2002. During his 24 years of service, he rose to chair the House Agriculture Committee.
The Congressman had faced health challenges for several years, and some observers speculated he might not seek re‑election in 2024. He ultimately did file for another term but passed away before Georgia’s May 19th primary. Because the deadline to remove candidates from the ballot has already passed, his name will remain in place.
Before his election to Congress, Mr. Scott served in both the Georgia House of Representatives and state Senate. In total, he held elective office for 52 consecutive years.
Despite Scott’s decision to run again, six Democrats qualified for the primary: state Senator Emanuel Jones (D‑Decatur), state Rep. Jasmine Clark (D‑Lilburn), former Gwinnett County School Board chairman Everton Blair, dentist Heavenly Kimes, and two lesser‑known candidates.
Mr. Scott’s death now requires Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to schedule a special election to fill the remainder of the current term.
Assuming Georgia election law permits it based on required notice and providing adequate campaign time, the Governor would likely align the special election with the June 16th runoff elections. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two finishers would advance to a special runoff, which must occur within 28 days under state law. This process will determine who serves the final months of Mr. Scott’s term.
Rep. Scott’s passing comes one day after Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick (D‑Miramar) resigned following a federal indictment and House ethics violations. As a result, the number of open seats heading into the next election has risen to 63.
Of these 63 open seats, 37 are held by Republicans, 21 by Democrats, and five are newly created through redistricting in California, Texas, and Utah.
Among the departing members, 27 are running for other offices (Senate, Governor, or Attorney General), 27 are retiring from elective politics, five seats are open due to redistricting, three members have resigned, two have died (Reps. Scott and Doug LaMalfa (R‑CA)), and one incumbent – Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R‑TX) – lost in the March primary. Two retiring members, Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D‑TX) and Burgess Owens (R‑UT), were paired in redrawn districts, so their departures do not create open seats.
The House now has five vacancies: two due to death (Reps. Scott and LaMalfa) and three to recent resignations (former Reps. Eric Swalwell (D‑CA), Tony Gonzales (R‑TX), and Ms. Cherfilus‑McCormick).
Virginia
A day after the people voted 51-49% to approve the new Virginia redistricting map, the same judge who initially invalidated the special referendum process because he ruled the legislature broke its own internal rules to shorten the process of posting the special statewide vote, issued a new opinion stating how this particular referendum procedure was administered is unconstitutional.
The judge’s initial ruling is on appeal before the state Supreme Court which has still not issued a decision even though the justices allowed the vote to proceed. Attorney General Jay Jones (D) says he will also appeal the circuit court’s ruling pertaining to the constitutionality of the referendum’s administration.
It is difficult to see a majority Democratic state Supreme Court overturning a vote of the people that favored the Democrats. The fact that the high court allowed the referendum vote to take place is likely an indication that the election result will stand.
