Austin Scott

Austin Scott
Born	James Austin Scott 10 12, 1969
Birthplace	Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Known for	U.S. Representative for Georgia's 8th congressional district
Education	University of Georgia (BBA)
Spouse(s)	Vivien Scott
Children	3
Website	[[austinscott.house.gov austinscott.house.gov] Official site]

James Austin Scott (born December 10, 1969) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 8th congressional district since January 2011. A member of the Republican Party, Scott first entered elected office in 1996 as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, where he served for nearly fifteen years before winning his seat in Congress. Born and raised in Georgia, Scott built a career in the insurance industry before turning to full-time public service. Over the course of his tenure in both the state legislature and the U.S. House, he has focused on issues related to agriculture, military affairs, and fiscal conservatism. He is the longest currently serving Republican in Georgia's congressional delegation, a distinction reflecting his sustained electoral support in the largely rural district he represents in south-central Georgia.

Early Life

James Austin Scott was born on December 10, 1969, in Augusta, Georgia. He grew up in Georgia and developed an early interest in business and public affairs. Before entering politics, Scott worked in the insurance industry, establishing himself as a small businessman in the state.

Scott's roots in south Georgia and his background as a business owner shaped much of his political identity. His familiarity with the concerns of rural communities, agricultural interests, and small business owners would become central themes throughout his political career. He entered the political arena at a relatively young age, first winning election to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1996 at the age of 26.

Education

Scott attended the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. The University of Georgia, located in Athens, Georgia, is the state's flagship public university and one of the oldest public institutions of higher education in the United States. Scott's business education provided a foundation for his subsequent career in the insurance industry and informed his approach to fiscal and economic policy issues throughout his time in public office.

Career

Georgia House of Representatives (1996–2011)

Scott began his career in elected office in 1996, when he won a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives, succeeding Henry Bostick in the 165th district. He was just 26 years old at the time of his first election. Over the course of his tenure in the state legislature, Scott represented multiple districts as a result of redistricting: the 165th district from 1996 to 2003, the 138th district from 2003 to 2005, and the 153rd district from 2005 until his departure in 2011.

During his time in the Georgia House, Scott developed a reputation as a fiscal conservative. He advocated for reduced government spending, lower taxes, and policies favorable to small businesses and the agricultural sector. Among his notable legislative efforts was a push to abolish the Georgia 400 toll, reflecting his focus on transportation issues and opposition to what he characterized as unnecessary government-imposed costs on citizens. He also introduced legislation addressing various state governance and regulatory matters.

In 2009, Scott undertook what he described as a "Walk Around Georgia," a 1,000-mile trek through the state designed to engage directly with constituents and raise awareness of issues facing Georgia communities. He completed the walk in August 2009, having traveled through numerous towns and counties across the state. The effort was seen as part of his preparation for a potential congressional campaign and helped raise his profile beyond his state legislative district.

Scott was succeeded in the Georgia House by Tony McBrayer upon his departure in 2011.

2010 Congressional Campaign

In 2010, Scott ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Georgia's 8th congressional district, challenging incumbent Democratic Representative Jim Marshall. The 8th district, which encompasses a large swath of south-central Georgia including areas around Tifton, Warner Robins, and Valdosta, had been represented by Marshall since 2003. The 2010 election cycle proved favorable for Republican candidates nationally, as the party gained 63 seats in the House in what was characterized as a wave election.

Scott defeated Marshall in the general election, capitalizing on the political environment and his own extensive grassroots campaigning, including the statewide walk he had undertaken the previous year. His victory ended Marshall's tenure and flipped the seat to Republican control, where it has remained since.

U.S. House of Representatives (2011–present)

Scott took office on January 3, 2011, and has been reelected in every subsequent cycle, establishing himself as a durable presence in Georgia's congressional delegation. He is a member of the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of conservative members in the House.

Committee Assignments

In Congress, Scott has served on several key committees that align with the interests of his largely rural, agriculture-dependent district. He has been a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Armed Services, both of which are of particular importance to the 8th district. The district includes Robins Air Force Base, one of the largest military installations in Georgia and a major employer in the region, making defense and military policy a central concern for Scott's constituents.

Through his work on the Agriculture Committee, Scott has focused on farm policy, crop insurance, and rural development programs. His background in the insurance industry has informed his approach to crop insurance issues and agricultural risk management policy.

Legislative Positions and Activities

Scott has maintained a consistently conservative voting record in Congress. He signed the Americans for Prosperity's "No Climate Tax" pledge, indicating his opposition to climate-related tax measures. His positions on various policy issues have been documented by nonpartisan trackers.

In December 2017, Scott voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the major tax reform legislation passed during the first term of President Donald Trump.

On cannabis policy, Scott has received a rating from NORML, which tracks congressional positions on marijuana-related legislation.

In November 2025, Scott voted in favor of legislation mandating the release of documents connected to convicted child trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Following the vote, Scott publicly called for continued investigation into Epstein's network, stating his support for full transparency regarding individuals who may have been involved.

In July 2025, Scott supported the final House passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, legislation that included provisions for tax cuts for families, farmers, and other groups. Scott cited the bill's benefits for his constituents in south Georgia, particularly its provisions related to agriculture and family tax relief.

Constituent Services and Engagement

Scott has maintained active engagement with his constituents through regular communications and district-focused initiatives. His office publishes periodic updates addressing issues of concern to Georgians, ranging from public safety matters to federal policy developments. In a September 2025 update, Scott addressed a series of national tragedies and their impact on his constituents. In December 2025, he warned constituents about the rise of elder fraud during the Christmas season, citing statistics from the Department of Justice.

Scott's office has also organized the annual Congressional Art Competition for high school students in Georgia's 8th congressional district. In January 2026, his office announced the 2026 competition, inviting submissions from students across the district. The program, which exists across many congressional offices nationwide, gives young artists the opportunity to have their work displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

Electoral History

Since his initial victory in 2010 over Jim Marshall, Scott has faced relatively limited competitive challenges in subsequent elections. Georgia's 8th congressional district has trended strongly Republican, and Scott has won reelection by comfortable margins in each cycle. His campaign financing is tracked by the Federal Election Commission.

Political Positions

Scott's political positions have generally aligned with mainstream Republican orthodoxy. He has supported lower taxes, reduced federal spending, strong national defense, and agricultural interests. His voting record reflects conservative positions on fiscal, social, and regulatory issues.

On defense policy, Scott has been an advocate for Robins Air Force Base and the military community in his district. His seat on the Armed Services Committee has allowed him to work on issues related to military readiness, defense spending, and veteran affairs.

On agricultural policy, Scott has worked to support the interests of farmers in his district, which produces a variety of crops including cotton, peanuts, pecans, and vegetables. He has been involved in debates over farm bill legislation, crop insurance programs, and trade policies affecting agricultural exports.

Personal Life

Austin Scott is married to Vivien Scott, and the couple has three children. The family resides in Georgia. Scott has identified as a person of faith, and his religious background has been noted in coverage of his personal life.

Before his full-time career in politics, Scott worked in the insurance industry, a background that has informed his perspective on business regulation and risk management policy. He has maintained ties to the south Georgia community throughout his career in both the state legislature and Congress.

Recognition

As the longest currently serving Republican in Georgia's congressional delegation, Scott holds a position of seniority within the state's Republican caucus. His sustained electoral success in Georgia's 8th congressional district over more than a decade of congressional service reflects a strong base of support among constituents in the region.

Scott's committee assignments on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Armed Services Committee represent significant positions of influence for a representative from a district with major agricultural and military interests. His membership in the Republican Study Committee places him within the largest conservative caucus in the House of Representatives.

His 2009 Walk Around Georgia, a 1,000-mile trek through the state, garnered media attention and was notable as an example of grassroots political engagement in the era before social media became the dominant mode of political outreach.