Who's running in Georgia's 8th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Austin Scott currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Agriculture policy, as a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee.
Defence policy and the district's military installations, as a member of Armed Services.
The Republican legislative agenda in Congress.
Rural health care and broadband in south Georgia.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 8th District since January 2011; re-elected in 2024 with 68.9%.
Longest-serving Republican in Georgia's congressional delegation; former Georgia state representative from Tifton.
Member of the House Agriculture Committee and the House Armed Services Committee.
Joined an amicus brief supporting the Texas lawsuit that asked the Supreme Court to set aside 2020 election results in several states won by Joe Biden.
Faced no Republican primary opponent in the May 19, 2026 primary.
Arguments in favor
No Republican filed against him, and his campaign points to fifteen years of seniority on the agriculture and armed services committees that matter most to a farming district with military bases.
— The Scott campaign, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting on the uncontested primary
Arguments against
Both Democrats who ran for the right to face him said he is not visible or accessible in the district, and made getting in front of constituents the core of their own campaigns.
— Kelly Esti and Justin Marcel Lucas, the 2026 Democratic primary candidates, reported by WALB
What we couldn’t verify
Esti also made a personal accusation about Scott's legal record in a primary forum that no source substantiates; it is not repeated here.
Scott's response to the accessibility criticism was not established from sources read.
His 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Accessibility: being visible to constituents across a large rural district, which he made central to his primary campaign.
Poverty and economic policy, the subject of his doctoral work.
Veterans' issues, drawing on his Navy service.
Local government and development, drawing on his zoning board service and the incorporation of South Fulton.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Navy veteran; earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees after service, with a PhD in public policy on quantitative poverty measurement.
Worked in finance at E-Trade during the financial crisis.
Served on the Fulton County zoning board and helped create the city of South Fulton.
Won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary against Justin Marcel Lucas.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Esti by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against Austin Scott's campaign, and against WALB, Albany Herald and AJC coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either.
No campaign website for him could be located.
His endorsements and fundraising were not established from sources read; the district is solidly Republican.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Georgia held its primary on May 19, 2026, with runoffs on June 16. Republican incumbent Austin Scott drew no primary opponent; Democrat Kelly Esti beat Worth County school board member Justin Marcel Lucas. The district covers a wide band of southern Georgia and is solidly Republican. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and WALB and Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting; Wikipedia renders the Democratic nominee's surname as Etsi, while local reporting and Ballotpedia use Esti, which is used here. Criticism of Esti by name could not be found, so his entry carries no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Georgia ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.