Another Democrat jumped into the primary race to topple Rep. David Scott (D-GA), who has represented suburban Atlanta in Congress for more than two decades.
Georgia Democratic state Rep. Jasmine Clark launched her campaign Monday for Georgia’s 13th Congressional District. Clark, 42, is a microbiologist, state representative, and Emory University nursing school professor.
Clark’s entrance into the race reflects a growing trend of younger Democrats continuing to challenge older incumbents as the 2026 midterm elections approach and the Left aims to win back the House.
“And the truth is, America is at a crossroads,” Clark said in her campaign video. “Are we going to surrender to Trump and MAGA as they attack Georgia families, or will we fight back?”
Scott, 79, began his political career in 1974 in the Georgia General Assembly and has served in Congress since 2003. He serves on the House Agriculture and Financial Services committees and was the first black chairman of the Agriculture Committee.
Scott has been in tough reelection fights before, including surviving a crowded primary in 2024. This year, he has already had primary challengers from Everton Blair, a former local school board leader, and Democratic state Sen. Emanuel Jones.
Georgia will be a very competitive state in 2026. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) will be up for reelection, facing a tough fight to keep his seat in a major swing state.
Democratic National Committee Vice Chairman David Hogg launched an initiative earlier this year to primary older incumbents in an effort to get younger people in office. The move split the party leadership, as DNC Chairman Ken Martin and others on the board strongly urged him to drop the matter. The DNC denounced the plan.
A handful of young Democrats have announced primary races against longtime incumbents in their latest efforts to change Washington, D.C.
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), the longest-serving Democrat, is staring down a primary challenge from Harry Jarin, a 35-year-old small business owner and volunteer firefighter.
STENY HOYER, 85, GETS A PRIMARY CHALLENGE FROM MILLENNIAL MAKING AGE AN ISSUE
Kat Abughazaleh, an influencer and former progressive watchdog group staffer, announced her candidacy against incumbent Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) before Schakowsky announced her retirement. Jake Rokov also launched a primary against his former boss, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA).
Elijah Manley, a 26-year-old Florida substitute history teacher, launched a primary against incumbent Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is facing a primary from Saikat Chakrabarti, former chief of staff for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).