Critics question if longtime Democratic congressman from Georgia is too old for reelection

CONYERS, Ga. -- 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 with aboriginal voting underway up of the May 21 superior elections, the 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 however longtime members of Congress proceed to service adjacent arsenic they age, a play that played retired connected a overmuch larger signifier past twelvemonth with the 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.

“It’s the benignant of happening that is talked astir among insiders, among politicos," Gillespie said. ”I don’t cognize however good that’s really benignant of been disseminated outside."

Many voters are inactive figuring retired what territory they present unrecorded in. After a justice overturned Georgia's erstwhile legislature representation arsenic racially discriminatory, helium approved a caller Republican-drawn representation with 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 present their subordinate of Congress.

“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 the territory with billboards and signs, but helium hasn't been making nationalist appearances. Democratic opponents accidental his nonaccomplishment to enactment successful an Atlanta Press Club statement exemplifies Scott's absenteeism.

“He’s hoping to sneak successful bureau 1 much time. ‘Voters conscionable bash it 1 much clip — fto maine get 1 much changeable astatine holding onto powerfulness successful bureau until I dice successful bureau oregon discontinue oregon possibly walk it disconnected to idiosyncratic similar it’s a cigarette,’” said 1 opponent, lawyer Brian Johnson.

When helium qualified to tally successful February, Scott dismissed those speculations.

“Thank God I’m successful bully health, moving and doing the 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 subordinate of the Democrats' mean Blue Dog Coalition, could seat the House Agriculture Committee if Democrats regain the majority.

Among Scott's opponents is Marcus Flowers, who roseate to nationalist announcement erstwhile the 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 wealth nationwide — helium won lone 34% of votes successful northwest Georgia's heavy Republican 14th District.

Flowers said he's present moving against Scott due to the fact that helium believes Scott's reliance connected contributions from corporations and governmental enactment committees means helium isn't oriented to the district's needs. Flowers said his tally continues his 2022 effort, saying helium volition face extremists if elected.

“I deliberation if you person capable radical who are retired determination warring and pushing backmost against that, past immoderate of those members who aren’t connected the acold close oregon the utmost close volition measurement up and propulsion back," Flowers said.

But Flowers’ fundraising quality isn't translating to this race. Scott raised astir a cardinal dollars done March 31 and had $545,000 successful currency connected hand. Flowers raised $142,000 and spent each but $30,000.

The lone different campaigner who has raised immoderate wealth is erstwhile East Point City Councilmember Karen René. She said that if elected, she would gully connected her acquisition connected the assembly and her enactment for a national jobs programme to assistance section governments and beforehand concern development.

“I’m moving due to the fact that I judge I tin conscionable radical wherever they are successful 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 experienced politician, and not arsenic a wide oregon blimpish oregon immoderate of those things," Johnson said during the debate. "I'm moving arsenic an existent Democrat focused connected Democratic issues.”

Baker argues Scott has been excessively affable with Republicans. He said that portion connected the South Fulton council, helium advocated for ending no-knock constabulary raids, decriminalizing marijuana and paying reparations to descendants of slaves.

“He’s been dormant down the instrumentality for a agelong time, and helium supported Republicans who present person taken our rights away,” Baker said of Scott.

Other Democratic challengers are Rashid Malik, who wants the U.S. authorities to bash much to extremity the Israel-Hamas War, and Uloma Kama, a doc and nationalist wellness advocate. A runoff would beryllium held June 18 if nary 1 wins a bulk connected May 21. The victor volition look the victor of the Republican primary, either Jonathan Chavez oregon 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 the congressman decides to leave, helium won’t beryllium pushed out,” she said. “He volition bow out.”