Marcus Flowers to challenge Rep. David Scott in Democratic primary for redrawn 13th district

Democrat Marcus Flowers has filed paperwork to challenge long-serving U.S. Rep. David Scott in the Democratic primary. Scott, who has served 11 terms in Congress, made history in 2020 as the first Black lawmaker to lead the powerful House Agriculture Committee.

The 13th Congressional District, once in Cobb and southwest metro Atlanta, now encompasses eastern parts of the metro.

Military veteran Flowers, 48, previously ran an unsuccessful U.S. House campaign in 2022 against far-right Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in a conservative northwest Georgia district. He raised over $16 million in his 2022 bid to oust her. He lost the race, but raised his political profile among Georgia voters.

Following that race, Flowers co-founded a super PAC called Mission Democracy aimed at supporting Democrats in challenging congressional races.

In a statement released by Flowers, he highlighted his commitment to defending democracy, stating, “I’ve spent my entire life fighting for this country both in the military and in government, and I believe that I’m uniquely capable of bringing the good fight to D.C.”

Scott, aged 78, has faced questions about his health, and some Democrats have privately urged him to retire. Others who support Scott point to his Ag Committee role and its importance to Georgia Farmers as the reason he should be re-elected. Despite the questions, Scott expressed readiness to seek a 12th term in office.

Following the redrawing of political maps by Republican-led initiatives, the political landscape for incumbent Democrats have shifted. Scott’s 13th Congressional District, once in Cobb and southwest metro Atlanta, now encompasses eastern parts of the metro.

The reshaped district, ordered by a federal judge to create a new majority-Black U.S. House seat, includes all of Rockdale County and parts of Clayton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Henry, and Newton counties. Neither Flowers nor Scott currently resides in the district, but Flowers aides say he plans to move there after winning the election. 

Several Democrats, including Flowers, are challenging incumbents within the party. In the 6th Congressional District, Cobb County Commissioner Jerica Richardson and state Rep. Mandisha Thomas are running against U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath.