Morning Digest: New challenger to 12-term Democrat calls on 'next generation to step up'

But despite mounting health issues, Georgia Rep. David Scott says he's running again

Democratic Rep. David Scott of Georgia says he’s running again (credit: David Scott campaign Facebook)

Leading Off

GA-13

Former Gwinnett County Board of Education chair Everton Blair announced Wednesday that he would wage a primary campaign against 12-term Rep. David Scott, a 79-year-old Democrat who has faced years of scrutiny over his physical and mental health, in Georgia's safely blue 13th District.

While the 32-year-old Blair, who would be the first gay person to represent the state in Congress, did not explicitly mention concerns about Scott's condition, he unsubtly argued in his launch that it was "time for the next generation to step up and correct the direction that this country is headed."

He also told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "With so much falling apart under this administration, we need more representatives who are in touch with reality and have the courage to fight for our future."

Blair added that the 13th District, which includes many of Atlanta's eastern suburbs, needs a more "visible and accessible" representative than Scott. In 2023, the AJC reported that the congressman's public events had become "rare," and it used that same adjective in January to describe an appearance back at home.

At that event, Scott declined to take questions from the press but sought to respond to voters angry with Donald Trump's actions.

"We need to talk to him," he said. "He's the man there, and we've got to address and meet with him."

Blair's launch comes three months after state Sen. Emanuel Jones became Scott's first intraparty challenger. Jones, 66, kicked off his campaign by pledging to be a "louder voice" in resisting the Trump administration. The Peach State requires candidates to win a majority of the vote in the primary to avert a runoff, so the incumbent cannot secure renomination with just a plurality of the vote.

But while Scott's team continues to insist he'll seek reelection next year, his weak fundraising during the first quarter of the year did nothing to stem retirement talk. The congressman brought in just over $80,000 and finished March with about $170,000 in the bank.

Jones, though, raised almost nothing through the end of last month, and his $17,000 war chest came almost entirely from self-funding. However, the quarter concluded just days before Georgia's legislative session adjourned on April 4, so the next three months will show whether Jones can bring in a serious amount of money now that he can focus on his campaign for higher office. (New reports are due July 15.)

The dual challenge to Scott comes at a time of growing concerns about the well-being of elderly members of the Democratic caucus. Those concerns only swelled last month following the deaths of two septuagenarians, Sylvester Turner and Raul Grijalva, leaving their seats vacant for months.

Scott's infirmity was most visibly on display last November when Politico's Francis Chung snapped a picture of him in a wheelchair. An irate Scott responded, "Who gave you the right to take my picture, asshole?" while an accompanying staffer threatened to complain to Chung's editor.

The outburst was not an isolated incident. While Scott made history after the 2020 election when he became the first African American to chair the Agriculture Committee, fellow Democrats soon told reporters they did not believe the aging lawmaker was up to the task.

Meredith Lee wrote in Politico in 2022 that even those close to Scott "acknowledged he's noticeably slowed in the last few years, citing his increasingly halting speech and trouble at times focusing on a topic." When a reporter asked the chairman some months later how a hearing had gone, Scott replied, "I don't know."

The Georgian remained the top Democrat on the panel after Republicans took control of the House that fall, but his party continued to gripe that he was the wrong person for the role. An unnamed colleague told Politico in 2023, "There are real questions about whether he's with it."

Scott, though, sought to use one of his infrequent events back in his district to reassure his constituents.

"Age happens. As long as I'm doing the job, I'm going to do it," he said. "For me to sit and waste my time with those people out there who are against me, it's foolishness."

While Scott's colleagues anticipated he'd retire in 2024, he successfully secured another term. However, his efforts to keep his prominent committee post ended in failure: Scott, who missed two weeks of votes in November for medical issues, received the support of just five out of 61 members of the Democrats' Steering and Policy Committee. Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig went on to defeat California's Jim Costa for the ranking member spot.

Scott's health issues have taken center stage in recent years, but he's also taken actions at odds with his party even as he continues to represent one of the most Democratic seats in the state.

The congressman notably crossed party lines in 2016 to back Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson's bid for reelection, declaring, "He's my friend. He's my partner. And I always look out for my partners." And Scott, who donated to Utah GOP Rep. Mia Love's campaign that year, also sided with Republicans to undermine regulations aimed at reining in predatory payday lenders and preventing auto dealers from charging higher interest rates to people of color.

But Scott, who was first elected in 2002 with support from his late brother-in-law, the legendary Atlanta Braves Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, has only occasionally had trouble winning renomination.

His closest shave came in 2020 when he unexpectedly earned just 53% of the vote in a crowded primary against several underfunded foes—just a few points more than the majority he needed to avert a runoff. He scored 66% two years later, though, and took 58% last year after court-ordered redistricting dramatically transformed the boundaries of his district.

Blair and Jones, though, believe that things will be different in 2026 whether or not Scott sticks to his plan to claim a 13th term. Other Democrats will also likely take a look at running, especially if Scott—who said in 2023 he'd keep serving "[a]s long as the people want me to"—decides it's finally time to stop.

The Downballot Podcast

WaPo's Philip Bump nerds out on data

Philip Bump, an important voice at the Washington Post for many years, joins us on this week's episode of The Downballot podcast to share our mutual love of nerding out on numbers. Philip explains how he translates abstract data for a broad audience, going into detail on some surprising findings regarding turnout and special elections. He also explores how the second Trump administration differs from the first and concludes that public opinion likely has not yet caught up to the reality of just how different things are.

Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also bring listeners up to speed on the latest developments in the never-ending litigation over North Carolina's Supreme Court race, which—for the first time in a long time—just brought some good news for Democrat Allison Riggs. And the Davids take a look at Iowa, where a GOP governor's surprise retirement might create a rare opening for Democrats.

The Downballot podcast comes out every Thursday morning everywhere you listen to podcasts. Click here to subscribe and to find a complete transcript!

Senate

IA-Sen

Military veteran Nathan Sage, who heads the chamber of commerce in the small Iowa city of Knoxville, on Wednesday became the first Democrat to challenge Republican Sen. Joni Ernst.

Sage, a first-time candidate, launched his effort with a video touting his working-class roots and service in Iraq with the Army and Marines. In his video, he tells the audience that his south-central Iowa community was "one of the many places that's being abandoned, hurt by corporations, billionaires, and the politicians they own."

"I'm fighting for a Democratic Party that people like me will actually want to be a part of," he adds. "I want to kick corporate Republican Joni Ernst's ass next November."

But even though Iowa has grown increasingly conservative, Sage could still face competition in the primary. State Sen. Zach Wahls and state Reps. Josh Turek and J.D. Scholten have all expressed interest in challenging Ernst in a state Democrats hope is not permanently out of reach.

TX-Sen

Reps. Ronny Jackson and Beth Van Duyne are both "potential contenders" in Texas' Republican primary for Senate, the Dallas Morning News' Gromer Jeffers writes. Incumbent John Cornyn already faces an ugly renomination battle against Attorney General Ken Paxton, while Rep. Wesley Hunt is also talking about running.

There's no indication how seriously either of Hunt's House colleagues is interested in campaigning statewide, though. Jackson last publicly spoke about running for Senate in 2022, while Van Duyne doesn't seem to have ever discussed the idea. Neither lawmaker, however, has yet to say anything to make persistent chatter about them go away.

Governors

IA-Gov

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig has confirmed that he's considering running to replace Gov. Kim Reynolds, a fellow Republican who unexpectedly announced her retirement late last week. Naig told the Gazette he was "thoughtfully discussing" whether he'd seek the top job, though he didn't indicate how long his deliberations might last.

Morning Digest: In a surprise, Iowa Republican Kim Reynolds is first governor to retire this cycle

NY-Gov, NY-21

Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik is considering running for governor of New York next year, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday. The news comes three weeks after Donald Trump withdrew her nomination to serve as UN ambassador amid escalating Republican fears about their ability to win special elections in red districts like hers.

While Stefanik did not confirm her interest in taking on Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, she dropped several hints in the last few days. Most notably, she told NY1 Tuesday she was "honored to have my name in the mix" for what she called a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" for Republicans to take power in state government.

Stefanik could have some heavyweight allies in her corner if she runs statewide. An unnamed state party official told NOTUS that several Trump allies are trying to enlist her, and Trump himself posted on social media early Wednesday, "Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is GREAT!!!" (with no additional text).

The congresswoman might use a less-flattering word to describe her continuing service in a job she began saying goodbye to just weeks ago. While Speaker Mike Johnson created a new leadership post for Stefanik, NOTUS says that the new "Chair of House Republican Leadership" did not resume casting votes in the House until last week. The outlet adds that Stefanik thought that Johnson "was wavering" on his pledge to give her back her spot on the House Intelligence Committee (she was ultimately reappointed).

Morning Digest, sponsored by Ripple on Impact: Fearing special elections, Trump yanks Stefanik's nomination

Stefanik isn't the only member of the Empire State's GOP delegation considering a run against Hochul, who's also likely to face serious primary opposition. Rep. Mike Lawler said last week he'd decide "sometime in June" if he'd run for governor or defend his swingy House seat.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman also hasn't ruled out a bid for the state's top job, though he has to first focus on winning reelection against Democrat Seth Koslow this fall.

Morning Digest, sponsored by 314 Action: Trump just flipped Nassau County. Democrats think they can win it back

If Stefanik seeks a promotion, there would at long last be an open-seat race to replace her in the 21st District in the northern corner of the state. Dairy farmer Blake Gendebien, who was supposed to be the Democratic nominee for the special election that never happened, is still running in the 2026 contest for a full term. He ended March with $2 million banked in his quest to flip a seat that Trump, according to calculations by The Downballot, carried 60-39.

VA-Gov

Democrat Abigail Spanberger maintains a wide financial advantage over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in this fall's contest to serve as Virginia's next governor.

New fundraising numbers released this week show that the former congresswoman outraised her rival $6.7 million to $3.3 million during the first three months of the year and finished March with a $11 million to $4.4 million cash on hand lead. (Earle-Sears' haul includes fundraising from a small allied PAC.) Earle-Sears, unlike Spanberger, was prohibited from raising money while the legislature was in session from early January through late February.

Morning Digest: Don't sleep on these two major races happening in Virginia this year

Blue Virginia also has a roundup of candidate fundraising in the races for attorney general and lieutenant governor, as well as for key seats in the state House. The financial picture could change abruptly, however: Virginia, unlike most states, doesn't place limits on campaign contributions in state races, so wealthy donors and major outside groups are free to contribute as much as they want to their preferred contenders.

House

MI-04

Democratic state Sen. Sean McCann tells journalist Zach Gorchow that he's interested in challenging Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga. Huizenga might not stick around to defend Michigan's 4th District, though, as the congressman is considering running for the Senate.

Attorney Jessica Swartz announced last week that she'd wage a second bid for the 4th, which is home to Kalamazoo and other communities in the southwestern part of the state. Huizenga defeated Swartz 55-43 last year as Donald Trump prevailed here 52-46.

MN-01

Teacher Jake Johnson announced this morning that he's seeking the Democratic nomination to take on Republican Rep. Brad Finstad in the 1st District, a southern Minnesota seat that was once held by now-Gov. Tim Walz.

This constituency has shifted hard to the right since Walz, who was himself a teacher, first won it in 2006. Johnson, though, is arguing that Finstad's fealty to Donald Trump and Elon Musk will make him vulnerable as vital services are under attack. Johnson in particular highlighted the administration's cuts to funding for the renowned Mayo Clinic, which is in the 1st District.

The 1st District was one of the most competitive House seats in the nation during most of Walz's 12 years in Congress, but it lurched hard to the right in the presidential vote during Trump's first campaign in 2016. Still, it remained tight at the congressional level for three elections in a row, including when Republican Jim Hagedorn narrowly flipped it in 2018 and his first reelection campaign two years later.

After Hagedorn died in 2022, Finstad similarly won an unexpectedly close special election that summer against Democrat Jeff Ettinger. The new congressman, though, easily prevailed in their rematch a few months later, and he had no trouble securing reelection last year as Trump was carrying his district 55-43.

NH-01

Democratic state Sen. Debra Altschiller tells the Portsmouth Herald she's interested in running for New Hampshire's open 1st District and is "actively looking at the possibility [of] making that decision in the next week or two."

Former Portsmouth City Councilor Stefany Shaheen, likewise, informs the paper she'll decide during the spring if she'll run to replace Rep. Chris Pappas, a fellow Democrat. The last day of the season is June 20 this year.

NJ-01

Democratic Rep. Donald Norcross faces an "extended recovery that could require physical rehabilitation" due to a gallbladder infection that resulted in sepsis, according to a statement from his office that quoted the congressman's physician. The release added that Norcross, who was hospitalized last week, is "responding well to treatment" but "remains in intensive care."

Norcross, 66, has represented the reliably blue 1st District in South Jersey since 2014.

NV-04

Businessman Cody Whipple announced Tuesday that he was joining the Republican primary to take on Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford in Nevada's 4th District. Whipple launched his campaign with an endorsement from former Rep. Crescent Hardy, who represented a previous version of this constituency from 2015 to 2017, as well as four sheriffs from rural counties.

Whipple, a former quarterback for Virginia Tech, entered the race one week after Air Force veteran David Flippo launched a second campaign. Kamala Harris carried the 4th, which includes the northern Las Vegas area and part of rural Nevada, 50-48.

TX-28

Republican state Rep. Ryan Guillen is considering challenging Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, the Cook Political Report's Erin Covey relays. Guillen, a former Democrat who switched parties in 2021, has not publicly discussed his interest in running for Texas' 28th District around Laredo.

Attorneys General

MI-AG

Former U.S. Attorney Mark Totten on Wednesday became the first candidate from either party to announce a campaign to succeed Attorney General Dana Nessel, a fellow Democrat who cannot seek a third term next year.

Totten lost the 2014 election for this post to Republican incumbent Bill Schuette during a tough year for Democrats. He later served as the top federal prosecutor for the western half of Michigan from 2022 until early this year.

Both parties will select their nominees for attorney general next year at party conventions, which will likely take place in the spring of 2026, rather than through traditional primaries. Those same rules are in play for the race to replace Democrat Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is termed out and running for governor.

Totten will likely have competition at that convention, as The Detroit News mentions Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald and Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit as possible contenders. Republicans are also sure to target one of the top jobs in this swing state, though we're waiting to hear who might be interested in running.

Mayors & County Leaders

New York, NY Mayor

Longtime Rep. Nydia Velazquez and six fellow Brooklyn Democrats announced Wednesday that they were issuing a joint endorsement of City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani ahead of the June 20 primary for mayor of New York.

The progressive Working Families Party last month backed the same trio plus a fourth candidate, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie. Neither Velazquez nor the WFP has said how their supporters should rank the candidates.

The joint endorsement comes at a time when left-leaning organizations are trying to stop former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is the primary frontrunner, via what they've dubbed the "D.R.E.A.M" coalition. That acronym originally stood for "Don't Rank Eric or Andrew for Mayor" before incumbent Eric Adams announced he was leaving the Democratic Party to seek reelection as an independent. Cuomo's critics responded by rebranding their campaign, "Don't Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor."

Prosecutors & Sheriffs

Philadelphia, PA District Attorney

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has publicized an internal poll that shows him defeating former Judge Patrick Dugan 58-21 in the May 20 Democratic primary. This survey from Lake Research Partners is the first poll anyone has released of the matchup between Krasner, who is one of the most prominent criminal justice reformers in the nation, and Dugan, who has faulted the incumbent's approach.

Morning Digest: Top reformist prosecutor draws challenger seeking to roll back changes

The challenger's team responded by telling the Philadelphia Inquirer's Anna Orso, "You can make an early internal poll say whatever you want it to say." However, they notably did not release any contrary numbers.

Dugan, though, is hoping his wide financial advantage will make the difference in this primary, which is the only contest that matters in this loyally Democratic city. (Republicans aren't even fielding a candidate in the November general election.) The former judge began this month with a $430,000 to $160,000 cash on hand lead over Krasner. Dugan dipped into his war chest this week to launch the first TV ad of the race, a spot that touts him as "the real reformer."

One prominent Krasner antagonist, however, is uncharacteristically keeping his wallet closed for now. While Elon Musk last fall pledged to dump money to beat progressive prosecutors nationwide, Orso writes that "[t]here's been no sign of big money flowing in from out of town to support or oppose Krasner."