U.S. House District 8: Veteran Georgia lawmaker has no primary challenger

The longest-serving member of Georgia’s Republican congressional delegation, Austin Scott, is running for a ninth term in the U.S. House without any primary opposition.

Scott, of Tifton, represents Georgia’s 8th Congressional District, which stretches from Macon through south-central Georgia to the Florida border. It is solidly Republican.

Two Democrats are on the ballot to challenge Scott in November: Worth County School Board member Justin Lucas, and U.S. Navy veteran Kelly Esti, of Hapeville. Neither candidate has reported raising any money to the Federal Election Commission.

Scott is known as a low-key lawmaker but in 2023, amid a leadership struggle in the U.S. House he surprised many by launching an unexpected, and ultimately unsuccessful bid for speaker. He said at the time he was motivated by frustration over the leadership gridlock.

Scott won reelection by 37 points in 2024.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC