Six Democrats seeking 13th Congressional District post

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(The Center Square) - Six candidates are competing for the Democratic nomination in Georgia's 13th Congressional District. 

Incumbent David Scott died on April 22. Scott served in Congress for 23 years. 

The candidates are Everton Blair, Jasmine Clark, Jeffree Fauntleroy, Emanuel Jones, Heavenly Elaine Kimes, and Joe Lester. 

Fauntleroy told The Center Square his district does not need another career politician. He called for six-year term limits on members of Congress representing the 13th District.

“I believe you should be able to get things done in those six years and if you’ve done them effectively that’s a good thing,” Fauntleroy said.

Fauntleroy has also criticized Israel’s military action in Palestine. He has committed to rejecting campaign donations from groups aligned with Israel, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a large, bipartisan pro-Israel lobbying group.

“As a small business owner, I know how to look at a budget and identify where excess money is being spent,” Fauntleroy said. “Instead of giving our money to Israel, our tax dollars belong here in our community to fund Medicare for all.”

Fauntleroy also proposed an economic accountability dashboard to track federal funds invested throughout the district. He said the dashboard would allow residents to see how elected officials negotiate funding for district programs.

“Now it’s up to you–the citizens– to make sure those dollars are being spent correctly so that you know if your elected officials are doing the right thing for you,” Fauntleroy said.

Clark has served in the Georgia House of Representatives since 2019. 

“We need to be bold, loud, and intentional about standing up for our values and against what’s happening in our communities,” Clark said on her website.

Jones is focusing his campaign on expanding Medicaid throughout the state.

“I support efforts to lower prescription drug costs and ensure our seniors have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare,” Jones wrote on his campaign website.

Kimes, a dentist, has focused her campaign on expanding Medicare and advancing climate legislation.

Kimes pointed to the 2024 Rockdale chemical plant explosion as an indicator of the need to advance legislation that protects communities from environmental incidents. The Georgia Supreme Court heard arguments in the fallout from the explosion, as community members called for medical monitoring of residents living near the plant.

“In Congress, I will fight to hold corporate polluters accountable and secure federal funding to ensure every family has a healthy environment to call home,” Kimes wrote on her campaign website.

Blair, Clark, Jones, Kimes and Lester did not respond to a request for an interview. 

With six candidates, the contest is likely to be settled in a runoff since Georgia law requires candidates to receive more than 50% of the vote to win. Early voting continues through May 15. The runoff will be held on June 16. 

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Jonathan James Chavez in November. Chavez was the only Republican to qualify for the race.