Georgia Rep. Jasmine Clark Wins 13th District Primary, Avoids Runoff
State Rep. Jasmine Clark avoided a runoff to win the Democratic primary for Georgia’s 13th District, positioning her to replace late Congressman David Scott.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — State Rep. Jasmine Clark from Lilburn secured the Democratic nomination for Georgia’s 13th Congressional District Tuesday night, clearing a crowded field and avoiding a runoff in her bid to replace the late Congressman David Scott.
Clark will face healthcare manager Jonathan Chavez, the sole Republican candidate, in November’s general election. The district is considered solidly Democratic, making Clark the likely future congresswoman.
“I’m so grateful that the voters of Georgia’s 13th Congressional district have placed their trust in me. Our community spoke up and resoundingly said that they want to send a science voice to Congress to speak up for truth,” Clark said in a statement Wednesday morning.
New Faces Coming to Georgia’s Delegation
Georgia’s congressional delegation will undergo significant changes next year. At least four of the state’s 14 congressional seats will have new occupants after three members are stepping down and another died in office.
Clark, a microbiologist and professor at Emory University, was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2018. She will replace Scott, who was first elected to Congress in 2002 and served the district until his death in April, just weeks before the primary election.
Competitive Primary Results
The 13th District race began as a call for fresh leadership and a referendum on Scott’s ability to serve, but candidates quickly sharpened their attacks on one another following Scott’s death. Dr. Heavenly Kimes, a dentist and reality TV personality, finished second with approximately 22% of the vote.
Former chair of the Gwinnett County Board of Education Everton Blair came in third place with nearly 12% of the vote. A special election is scheduled for July to complete the remainder of Scott’s current term.
Other Congressional Races Shape Up
In Georgia’s 1st District, the race to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate, saw Trump-endorsed Republican Jim Kingston narrowly win the nomination. Kingston secured just over 52% of the vote against five other Republican candidates, benefiting from a massive fundraising advantage.
The primary elections Tuesday set the stage for November’s general election, with multiple open seats creating opportunities for new representation in Georgia’s congressional delegation. Clark’s victory positions her as the frontrunner in a district that has remained in Democratic hands.
