Georgia's 13th District Special Election Heads to August Runoff

What Happened

The special election held on July 28, 2026, to fill the unexpired term of the late Representative David Scott (D-Ga.) in the U.S. House of Representatives concluded without a clear winner, necessitating a runoff election. According to Decision Desk HQ and the Associated Press, none of the five candidates on the ballot managed to secure more than 50 percent of the vote. The top two finishers, Marcye Scott, daughter of the deceased Congressman, and former Gwinnett County school board chair Everton Blair Jr., will now face each other in a runoff scheduled for August 25. When the race was called around 8:45 p.m. Eastern time, with approximately 85% of the expected vote counted, Marcye Scott had garnered 47.5% of the vote, while Everton Blair Jr. received 36.1%. Republican candidate Caesar Gonzales finished a distant third with only 8.5% of the vote. The special election aims to determine who will serve the remaining weeks of the term for the heavily Democratic 13th Congressional District, which became vacant following Rep. David Scott's death in April at age 80.

What the Evidence Establishes

Evidence from both The Hill and Fox News establishes that the special election for Georgia's 13th Congressional District did not produce an outright winner, triggering a runoff. Marcye Scott, daughter of the late Rep. David Scott, and Everton Blair Jr. are confirmed as the two candidates advancing to the August 25 runoff. The Associated Press called the race around 8:45 p.m. Eastern, with Marcye Scott holding 47.5% and Blair Jr. at 36.1% of the vote, based on 85% of precincts reporting. Georgia law mandates a runoff when no candidate achieves a 50% majority. This special election is distinct from the regularly scheduled November 3 general election for the full two-year term beginning in January, for which Democratic state Rep. Jasmine Clark won the May primary with 56% and will face Republican Jonathan Chavez. The 13th District is a Democratic stronghold, with the late Rep. David Scott winning 72% of the vote in 2024 and then-Vice President Kamala Harris securing 71% in the presidential race that same year against Donald Trump's 28%.

Where the Accounts Conflict

The accounts from The Hill and Fox News largely align regarding the outcome and details of the special election for Georgia's 13th Congressional District. Both outlets confirm that the election is headed to a runoff between Marcye Scott and Everton Blair Jr. due to no candidate reaching the 50 percent threshold. The reported vote percentages for the leading candidates and the date of the runoff (August 25) are consistent across both sources. The Hill cites Decision Desk HQ for the runoff call, while Fox News attributes it to the Associated Press, but the factual reporting of the outcome remains identical. There are no significant discrepancies in the core facts presented, such as candidate names, vote counts, or the legal requirement for a runoff. Fox News provides more extensive background information on the candidates, the district's political leanings, and the distinction between the special election and the upcoming general election, but this additional detail does not contradict The Hill's more concise report.

Context and Stakes

The special election for Georgia's 13th Congressional District carries significant weight due to the current narrow partisan division within the U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, compared to 212 Democrats and four vacancies, with independent Rep. Kevin Kiley of California caucusing with Republicans. The winner of this Georgia runoff will add another Democratic vote, shifting the balance to 213 Democrats against a 219-member Republican-aligned bloc. This slight shift could be crucial in a chamber where legislative outcomes are often decided by a handful of votes. Marcye Scott has campaigned on completing her father's

What to Watch Next

The immediate focus shifts to the August 25 runoff election between Marcye Scott and Everton Blair Jr. Both candidates will intensify their campaigns in the coming weeks, aiming to mobilize their respective bases and attract undecided voters in the heavily Democratic 13th District. Observers will monitor campaign messaging, particularly how Scott continues to leverage her father's legacy and Blair emphasizes his education policy background and prior elected service on the Gwinnett County school board. Fundraising efforts and endorsements from key local and national figures will also be critical indicators of momentum. Beyond the runoff, attention will turn to the November 3 general election, where Democratic state Rep. Jasmine Clark will face Republican Jonathan Chavez for the full two-year term. The outcome of the special election, while only for a short term, could provide insights into voter sentiment and turnout dynamics ahead of the broader November contests, especially given the district's strong Democratic leanings.

Bottom Line

The special election for Georgia's 13th Congressional District has resulted in a runoff between Marcye Scott and Everton Blair Jr., scheduled for August 25. Neither candidate secured the required 50% of the vote on July 28. This outcome means the vacant House seat, previously held by the late Rep. David Scott, will remain unfilled for several more weeks. The winner of the runoff will serve only the remainder of the current term, which concludes in January, and will not impact the representation for the subsequent full term, which will be decided in the November general election. Given the narrow partisan split in the House, every seat, even for a short duration, holds a degree of importance for legislative maneuvering and party strength. The district's strong Democratic lean suggests the seat will ultimately remain in Democratic hands, but the runoff will determine which specific Democrat holds it for the interim period.