Race · November 3, 2026

U.S. House · Georgia's 8th District

2 candidates on the ballot.1,2,3,4,5

How this race is decided: If no candidate wins a majority (more than half of the votes), the top two finishers meet in a runoff on December 1, 2026.5

§1Candidates

Why this matters: Every candidate the state lists for this race on the November ballot, in the state's own order.

Austin Scott
Republican · Incumbent
Currently represents Georgia's 8th District in the U.S. House.
Kelly Esti
Democrat · Challenger

§2Side by side

Why this matters: The same facts for every candidate, in the same order. Where we found nothing for a candidate, the cell says so — that means we didn't find it in public sources, not that it doesn't exist.

Scroll sideways on small screens. Select a name for the full page.
Austin ScottKelly Esti
Party on the ballotRepublican1,2,3,4Democrat1,2,3,4
StatusIncumbent6Challenger
Raised$1,416,651 through October 14, 20267$27,963 through September 30, 20268
Cash on hand$1,316,0567$3,7098
Outside spending$150,563 for · $1,748 against9Not found in the public sources we checked
High-speed internet accessHis official House website says extending the nation’s broadband network to rural areas would significantly increase productivity and efficiency.10His campaign website says some parts of the district still lack strong broadband and that as congressman his job would be to secure federal funding for broadband projects.11

Issues only one candidate has addressed

By candidate, in ballot order. We found nothing public from the other candidates in this race on these issues.

Austin Scott — 13 issues
  • Abortion law
    His official House website says he is pro-life and believes life begins at conception, and lists among the bills he has voted for or co-sponsored the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a 20-week abortion ban, and the Life at Conception Act.12
  • Government funding and abortion
    Bar public funds for abortions and for groups that provide them, including for their other services
    His official House website says he cast his first vote to defund Planned Parenthood in February 2011, and lists among the bills he has voted for or co-sponsored the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act and bills to defund Planned Parenthood.12
  • Who sets abortion law
    A national law limiting abortion (for example, after 15 weeks of pregnancy)
    His official House website lists among the bills he has voted for or co-sponsored the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a federal 20-week abortion ban, and the Life at Conception Act.12
  • Trade agreements
    Sign new deals that lower trade barriers
    His official House website says he supports free and fair trade, that opening international markets will benefit the economy, and that he will only support agreements that ensure American industry and workers compete on a fair playing field.13
  • US Department of Education
    His official House website says he wants to reduce the number of federal programs and leave education matters to local communities, restoring control at the local level.14
  • Oil and gas drilling on federal land and offshore
    His official House website says he supports an energy policy that includes increased domestic oil exploration, refining capacity, and production of domestic oil, natural gas and clean coal.15
  • Military aid to Israel
    His official House website says that ensuring Israel’s qualitative military edge is a key national security priority and that U.S. security assistance to Israel is important to American interests.16
  • Military spending
    His official House website says it is important to have the best equipped and trained military in the world.17
  • Health insurance system
    Fewer federal insurance rules and more private plan choices, with aid paid to individuals
    His official House website says he co-sponsored and voted for H.R. 2 to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and that he supports market-based reforms that lower costs, increase access to more affordable care and give citizens more control over their health care decisions.18
  • Immigration enforcement inside the country
    Deport as many people here without legal permission as possible, with or without criminal records
    His official House website says the country must first secure its borders, remove immigrants who are currently in the country without legal permission and enforce existing immigration laws before attempting any type of immigration reform.19
  • Balanced budget amendment
    Add a balanced budget requirement to the Constitution
    His official House website says he is a co-sponsor of H.J.Res. 1, which proposes a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.20
  • Federal income tax rates
    His official House website calls the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act a great first step, and says he will keep advocating legislation that expands the economy, grows wages and eases federal regulations.21
  • Federal spending levels
    Cut overall federal spending
    His official House website says that reducing spending and working toward a balanced budget has been one of his top priorities, that he has voted consistently for spending cuts, and that the country cannot tax its way out of its fiscal situation.20,22
Kelly Esti — 2 issues
  • Religious exemptions
    His campaign website’s About page lists among his past roles, as legislative chair and board member of Georgia Equality, spearheading successful opposition to the 2015 Religious Freedom Bill.23
  • Highway and transit funding
    His campaign website says he would secure federal funding for transportation projects and support local leaders in choosing solutions, from major road repairs in some communities to exploring transit options in others.11

Issue statements are drafted by AI from the public sources cited, and only cover what each candidate has said publicly.