Bobby Scott (politician)

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For other people named Robert Scott, see Robert Scott (disambiguation).
Bobby Scott
File:BobbyScott.jpg
Ranking Member of the House Education and Labor Committee
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded by Virginia Foxx
Chair of the House Education and Labor Committee
In office
January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by Virginia Foxx
Succeeded by Virginia Foxx
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 3rd district
Assumed office
January 3, 1993
Preceded by Thomas Bliley
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 2nd district
In office
January 12, 1983 – January 3, 1993
Preceded by Herbert Bateman
Succeeded by Henry Maxwell
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office
January 11, 1978 – January 12, 1983
Serving with Ted Morrison & Alan Diamonstein
Preceded by Lewis McMurran
Succeeded by Mary A. R. Marshall
Constituency 49th district (1978–1982)
48th district (1982–1983)
Personal details
Born Robert Cortez Scott
(1947-04-30) April 30, 1947 (age 77)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party Democratic
Education Harvard University (BA)
Boston College (JD)
Website House website
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service 1970–1973 (Massachusetts National Guard)
1973–1976 (Army Reserve)

Robert Cortez Scott (born April 30, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 3rd congressional district since 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the dean of Virginia's congressional delegation and the first Filipino American voting member of Congress. The district serves most of the majority-black precincts of Hampton Roads, including all of the independent cities of Franklin, Newport News (where he resides) and Portsmouth, parts of the independent cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Norfolk and Suffolk and all of Isle of Wight County.[1] From 2019 to 2023, Scott was chair of the House Education and Labor Committee. He has been ranking member since 2023

Early life, education and legal career

Scott was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Newport News, Virginia. He is of African American and Filipino descent.[2] His father, Charles Waldo Scott, was a pioneering African American surgeon[3] and in 1952 became the first African American appointed to the Newport News school board in the 20th century.[4] Scott's mother Mae Hamlin-Scott, a graduate in chemistry of the University of Michigan, was an educator who taught science in the Newport News public schools.[5]

Scott graduated from Groton School in 1965. He received his B.A. in government from Harvard College in 1969 and his Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School in 1973. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Scott is a former member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard (1970–73) and Army Reserve (1974–76).[6] He was a lawyer in private practice in Newport News from 1973 to 1991.[7]

Virginia legislature

Scott was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates as a Democrat in 1977 and to the Senate of Virginia in 1982, after a census-based reapportionment changed district numbers (thus, his nominal predecessors were in fact representatives from Northern Virginia). In the Virginia legislature, Scott worked to allow the poor and children greater access to health care, as well as to increase the minimum wage, and increase job training. He also authored legislation providing tax credits to business that provide donations to serving local communities in preventing crime or improving social service delivery.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

Scott during the 109th Congress
1986

Scott first ran for Congress in 1986 in the 1st district, which included his home in Newport News. He lost to Republican incumbent Herb Bateman, 56%-44%.[8]

1992

In 1992, the Department of Justice directed the Virginia legislature to draw a black-majority district after the 1990 census. The legislature responded by shifting most of the black residents of Hampton Roads and Richmond into a newly created 3rd district. Scott won a three-way Democratic primary with 67% of the vote,[9] which was tantamount to election in this heavily Democratic district. In the general election, he defeated Republican Dan Jenkins 79%-21%.[10]

1994-2008

During this period, Scott was reelected every two years with at least 76% of the vote, except in 2004. That year, he was challenged by Republican Winsome Sears, a former State Delegate. He won with 69% of the vote, now the second-lowest winning percentage of his career. In 1994, Scott won 79.44% of the vote, defeating Republican Thomas E. Ward. In 1996, he won 82.12% of the vote, defeating Republican Eisle G. Holland. In 1998, he won 75.97% of the vote, defeating Independent Robert S. Barnett. He ran unopposed in 2000, 2002, 2006, and 2008.

2010

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See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia § District 3

Scott defeated Republican Chuck Smith, a former JAG, 70%-27%.[11]

2012

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See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia § District 3

After redistricting, Scott's district was made even safer; he picked up all of Portsmouth and Newport News, as well as Petersburg. In 2008, President Barack Obama had carried the district with 76% of the vote; Scott won the new district with 78%,[12] defeating Air Force officer Dean Longo.[13] He easily won an 11th term with 81.26% of the vote.

Scott joined Obama in kicking off his campaign at Virginia Commonwealth University. The focus of the rally was largely on Obama's timeline for leaving the Middle East.[14]

2016

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See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia § District 3

The 3rd was reconfigured as a result of a court-ordered redistricting in 2015. It lost its territory in and around Richmond to the neighboring 4th district, but the new 3rd was no less Democratic than its predecessor.

Scott defeated Republican Marty Williams, 66%-33%, the lowest winning percentage of his career.

Tenure

Rep. Bobby Scott, D-VA, speaks in opposition to the Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011 (HR 1254) by arguing that it is excessive in scope, imposes limits on researchers, and bypasses the existing process of banning substances. The legislation passed the next day, December 8, 2011, by 317–98. Video: C-SPAN

Scott is the first African American Representative from Virginia since Reconstruction. Also, having a maternal grandfather of Filipino ancestry makes Scott the first American of Filipino descent to serve as a voting member of Congress. His congressional district is the only one with a majority black population in Virginia. It was created in 1992 and has remained the state's most Democratic district.[15]

Scott's annual Labor Day picnic, usually held at his mother's residence in Newport News, is a major campaign stop for statewide and federal candidates in Virginia.

On November 7, 2009, Scott voted for the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962).

Scott has voted progressively in the House. He has supported increases in the minimum wage and has worked to eliminate anti-gay bias in the workplace.[16] In 2010, Scott co-sponsored the "Lee-Scott bill" with Barbara Lee to make it easier on individuals who had been on unemployment for 99 weeks without finding work. Of the bill, Lee said, "it is important that we put in place a safety net for those still looking for work. We cannot and will not allow our fellow Americans to fall by the wayside. Congressman Scott and I plan to continue to push for passage of this legislation because it is simply the right thing to do."[17]

Scott (fourth from left) with President Obama and others at the signing of the Fair Sentencing Act in 2010

Scott supports LGBT rights. In 2009, he voted in favor of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a bill that expanded the federal hate crime law to cover crimes biased by the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity.[18] In 2010, he voted in favor of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act.[19] In 2019, Scott voted in favor of the Equality Act, a bill that would expand the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,[20] and urged Congress members to support the legislation.[21]

Scott was an outspoken opponent of the Bush administration. He opposed the Patriot Act, explaining that officials could abuse the power by promoting anti-terrorist security and develop unfair "racial profiling". In 2002 Scott voted against the Iraq war resolution and did not support any of the Bush Doctrine in reference to the Iraq war.[15]

For his tenure as the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee in the 116th Congress, Scott earned an "A" grade from the nonpartisan Lugar Center's Congressional Oversight Hearing Index.[22]

Legislation sponsored

Scott introduced the Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013 (H.R. 1447; 113th Congress) on April 9, 2013.[23] The bill would require the United States Department of Justice to collect data from U.S. states and territories about the deaths of prisoners in their custody.[24] States and territories would face monetary penalties for noncompliance. It would also require federal agencies to report on the deaths of prisoners in their custody.

Committee assignments

Caucuses

U.S. Senate speculation

When then-presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton selected Tim Kaine, a U.S. Senator from Virginia, as her running mate in July 2016, speculation arose about who would be nominated to replace Kaine in the Senate should the ticket win. In August 2016, former Democratic Governor of Virginia Douglas Wilder stated that he would want Governor Terry McAuliffe to appoint Scott to the seat, stating that it "would be good for the commonwealth, good for the Democratic Party, of which Bobby has been most supportive, and great for our nation."[29] On November 8, Clinton and Kaine lost the election and Kaine remained in his Senate seat.[30]

Controversies

2017 sexual harassment allegation

On December 15, 2017, Marsheri Everson (also known as M. Reese Everson), a former congressional fellow who had worked in Scott's office, alleged that Scott had sexually harassed her in 2013, touching her on the knee and back on separate occasions, then propositioning her with an inappropriate relationship after asking, "if you travel with me, are you going to be good?"[31] Scott strongly denied Everson's claim.[31]

Everson was represented by two attorneys, one Jack Burkman, known for his involvement in the conspiracy theories surrounding the murder of Seth Rich[31] as well as his alleged involvement in a scheme to pay women to lie about sexual harassment claims against special counsel and former FBI Director Robert Mueller.[32][33]

Everson's case against Scott is ongoing.

Knowledge of sexual assault allegations against Justin Fairfax

Scripps professor Vanessa C. Tyson alleged in 2019 that Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax sexually assaulted her in 2004 and approached Scott, a longtime friend, about these allegations between the time of Fairfax's election in November 2017 and inauguration in January 2018; The Washington Post also contacted Scott about the allegations.[34][35][36][37] In a 2019 statement, Scott said, "Allegations of sexual assault need to be taken seriously. I have known Professor Tyson for approximately a decade and she is a friend. She deserves the opportunity to have her story heard."[35][36][37]

Electoral history

Virginia's 1st congressional district: 1986 results[38]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
1986 Bobby Scott 63,364 44% Herbert H. Bateman 80,713 56% *

*Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1986, write-ins received 9 votes.

Virginia's 3rd congressional district: Results 1992–2022[38]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
1992 Bobby Scott 132,432 79% Daniel Jenkins 35,780 21% Write-ins 261
1994 Bobby Scott 108,532 79% Thomas E. Ward 28,080 21% Write-ins 8
1996 Bobby Scott 118,603 82% Elsie Goodwyn Holland 25,781 18% Write-ins 34
1998 Bobby Scott 48,129 76% (no candidate) Robert S. Barnett Independent 14,453 23% *
2000 Bobby Scott 137,527 98% (no candidate) Write-ins 3,226 2%
2002 Bobby Scott 87,521 96% (no candidate) Write-ins 3,552 4%
2004 Bobby Scott 159,373 69% Winsome Sears 70,194 31% Write-ins 325
2006 Bobby Scott 133,546 96% (no candidate) Write-ins 5,448 4%
2008 Bobby Scott 230,911 97% (no candidate) Write-ins 7,377 3%
2010 Bobby Scott 114,656 70% Chuck Smith 44,488 27% James Quigley Libertarian 2,383 2% *
2012 Bobby Scott 259,199 81.27% Dean J. Longo 58,931 18.48% * Write-ins 806 0.25%
2014 Bobby Scott 139,197 94.43% (no candidate) Write-ins 8,205 5.57%
2016 Bobby Scott 208,337 66.70% Marty Williams 103,289 33.07% Write-ins 714 0.23%
2018 Bobby Scott 198,615 91.02% (no candidate) Write-ins 19,107 8.08%
2020 Bobby Scott 233,326 68.35% John Collick 107,299 31.43% Write-ins 736 0.22%
2022 Bobby Scott 139,659 67.02% Terry Namkung 67,668 32.06% Write-ins 523 0.2%
*Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1998, write-ins received 772 votes. In 2010, independent and write-in candidates received 2,210 votes.

See also

References

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  7. ↑ Democratic Party of Virginia-Hidden History: Congressman Bobby Scott
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 The Almanac of American Politics, National Journal Group, 2009.
  16. ↑ [1], Project Vote Smart.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Final Vote Results for Roll Call 223
  19. ↑ Final Vote Results for Roll Call 317
  20. ↑ Final Vote Results for Roll Call 217
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott knew of Justin Fairfax allegation in late 2017 — but says he had few details (Virginian-Pilot)
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Rep. Bobby Scott learned of sexual assault allegation against Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax a year ago from the accuser: Aides (ABC News)
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Dem Rep. Bobby Scott learned of accusation against Virginia Lt. Gov. Fairfax last year (Fox News)
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott knew of Fairfax allegations a year ago (Axios)
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Virginia House of Delegates
Preceded by Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 49th district
1978–1982		 Succeeded by
Vince Callahan
Preceded by Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 48th district
1982–1983
Served alongside: Theodore V. Morrison Jr., Alan Diamonstein		 Succeeded by
Mary A. R. Marshall
Senate of Virginia
Preceded by Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 2nd district
1983–1993		 Succeeded by
Henry Maxwell
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 3rd congressional district
1993–present		 Incumbent
Preceded by Chair of the House Education Committee
2019–2023		 Succeeded by
Virginia Foxx
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
15th		 Succeeded by
Nydia Velázquez

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