As a result of the special election runoff following the passing of the late U.S. Rep. David Scott on April 22 of this year, Dr. Blair Everton Jr. has won a seat in Congress representing Georgia’s 13th Congressional District.
Everton’s victory against the daughter of the former representative, Marcye Scott, marks a significant election in Georgia’s voting history – he is the first Black openly gay man to be elected to Congress in the state, and the second Black openly gay man in the country to be elected to Congress overall. While Everton trailed Scott in the initial special primary, he succeeded in acquiring 53 percent of the vote in the runoff and was officially sworn in on September 1.
The representative will serve out the remainder of the late Rep. David Scott’s unexpired term, set to end in January of next year. Rep. Everton’s victory represents a desire for change within his district, and one that he seems happy to deliver upon. Although his term might be significantly shorter than most, voters should hope to expect strong representation in these few months approaching the new year.
Rep. Blair Everton ran his campaign as a progressive candidate for change. According to his campaign website, “Enough is enough. While our democracy hangs by a thread, billionaires and wealthy corporations have hijacked the economy and left the rest of us behind. We are working harder, but making less. Costs are rising, infrastructure crumbling and our leaders don’t seem to care. We deserve better.” He has made it clear exactly what type of representative he will be in his stated support of “an economy that prioritizes people before profit. For stronger schools and safer communities. For affordable housing and healthcare as a human right. For free and fair elections.”
The representative has also been vocal about supporting his community and the people who elected him, fighting for “a policy agenda directly focused on improving outcomes for Black Georgians in economic opportunity, affordable housing, education, health care, and wealth creation.” He champions LGBTQ+ and civil rights as well, fighting for the expansion of access to medically necessary care such as gender-affirming care, reproductive healthcare and HIV-prevention medications. He also hopes to encourage pro-LGBTQ+ school policies and invest in hate crime funding and queer-supportive community spaces.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
