Bobby Scott (U.S. politician)

For other people named Robert Scott, see Robert Scott (disambiguation).
Bobby Scott
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
from the 48th district
In office
January 13, 1982 – January 12, 1983
Preceded by Harvey Morgan
Succeeded by Mary Marshall
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 49th district
In office
January 11, 1978 – January 13, 1982
Preceded by Multi-member district
Succeeded by Vince Callahan
Personal details
Born (1947-04-30) April 30, 1947
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party Democratic
Alma mater Harvard University
Boston College
Religion Episcopalianism
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1970–1973
1973–1976
Unit Army Reserve
Massachusetts National Guard

Robert Cortez "Bobby" Scott (born April 30, 1947) is the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 3rd congressional district, serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district takes in most of Richmond, all of Portsmouth, along with most of the black-majority areas of Norfolk, Hampton and Scott's home in Newport News.

Early life, education, and law career

Scott was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Newport News, Virginia. He is of African American and Filipino American (maternal grandfather) descent.[1]

Scott graduated from Harvard College with an A.B. in government and Boston College Law School with his Juris Doctor. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Scott is a former member of the National Guard and Army Reserve.[2] Scott was a lawyer at a private practice from 1973 to 1991.

Virginia legislature

Scott was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates as a Democrat in 1977 and he was elected to the Senate of Virginia in 1982. While in the Virginia legislature, he worked for greater access to health care for the poor and children, an increased minimum wage, and greater job training. Scott also authored legislation that provides tax credits to business that provide donations to serving local communities in preventing crime or increasing social service delivery.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

Earlier official photo of Scott
1986

Scott first ran for Congress in 1986 in the 1st district, which included his home in Newport News. He lost to Republican incumbent U.S. Congressman Herb Bateman 56%-44%.[3]

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,[4] which was tantamount to election in this heavily Democratic district. In the general election, he defeated Republican Dan Jenkins 79%-21%.[5]

1994-2008

During this time period, he won re-election 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, the 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

Scott was challenged by Republican Chuck Smith, a former JAG. Scott defeated him 70%-27%,[6] the second worst performance of his career.

2012

After redistricting, Scott's district was made even more safe. Currently, Obama won his district with 76%, while the new district he won with 78% of the vote.[7] Scott faced Air Force officer Dean Longo in the election.[8] Scott easily won an 11th term with 81.26% of the vote.

Scott joined President 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.[9]

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, Dec. 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 gives Scott the distinction of being the first American of Filipino descent to serve as a voting member of Congress. Scott’s congressional district is the only one with a majority black population in Virginia. The district was created in 1992 and has remained the most Democratic district in Virginia.[10]

Scott's annual Labor Day picnic, generally 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 of Representatives. He has supported increases in the minimum wage and has worked to eliminate anti-gay bias in the workplace.[11] 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. In regards to the bill, Lee said that "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."[12]

Scott was an outspoken opponent of the Bush administration. He opposed the Patriot Act explaining that officials may abuse the power by promoting anti-terrorist security and develop unfair “racial profiling”. In 2002 Scott voted nay on the Iraq war resolution and did not support any of the Bush Doctrine in reference to the Iraq war.[10]

Legislation sponsored

Scott introduced the Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013 (H.R. 1447; 113th Congress) on April 9, 2013.[13] 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.[14] States and territories would face monetary penalties for noncompliance. The bill would also require federal agencies to report on the deaths of prionsers in their custody.

Committee assignments

Caucuses

Electoral history

Virginia's 1st congressional district: 1986 results[15]
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 1992–2010[15][16]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
1992 Bobby Scott 132,432 79% Daniel Jenkins 35,780 21% *
1994 Bobby Scott 108,532 79% Thomas E. Ward 28,080 21% *
1996 Bobby Scott 118,603 82% Elsie Goodwyn Holland 25,781 18% *
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% *
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% *
2014 Bobby Scott 139,197 94.43% (no candidate) Write-ins 8,205 5.57%
Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1992, write-ins received 261 votes. In 1994, write-ins received 8 votes. In 1996, write-ins received 34 votes. In 1998, write-ins received 772 votes. In 2004, write-ins received 325 votes. In 2010, independent and write-in candidates received 2,210 votes. In 2012, write-ins received 806 votes.

References

  1. ↑ Edmund Silvestre (November 8, 2008). "Fil-Am elected to US Congress". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on November 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
    Jon Sterngass (1 January 2009). Filipino Americans. Infobase Publishing. p. 107. ISBN 978-1-4381-0711-0.
  2. ↑ "Rep. Robert C. Scott (D-Va.)". Roll Call. Economist Group. 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014. Military Service: Mass. National Guard, 1970-74; Army Reserve, 1974-76
    "Rep. Scott, Huntington Ingalls President to Deliver Addresses at ODU's 121st Commencement Exercises". News @ ODU. Old Dominion University. November 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014. He received an honorable discharge for his service in the Massachusetts National Guard and the United States Army Reserve.
  3. ↑ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=53798
  4. ↑ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=317207
  5. ↑ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28441
  6. ↑ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=515059
  7. ↑ https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en&hl=en&key=0At9k6QrlThx6dDVjUmt4RzM4YXZQWVBZSE81dzJ5dVE&output=html
  8. ↑ "CAMPAIGN 2012: Dean Longo challenges Bobby Scott". CBS6. 19 May 2012.
  9. ↑ "Obama kicks off campaign in Richmond". Daily Press. 5 May 2012.
  10. 1 2 The Almanac of American Politics, National Journal Group, 2009.
  11. ↑ , Project Vote Smart.
  12. ↑ "Barbara Lee, Bobby Scott Introduce Bill For 99ers". Huffington Post. 20 December 2010.
  13. ↑ "H.R. 1447 - Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  14. ↑ Kasperowicz, Pete (6 December 2013). "House bill would require states to report on prisoner deaths". The Hill. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  15. 1 2 "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
  16. ↑ Election results. Virginia State Board of Elections

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bobby Scott (U.S. politician).
Senate of Virginia
Preceded by
Herbert Bateman		 Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 2nd district
1983–1993 		Succeeded by
Henry Maxwell
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Thomas Bliley		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 3rd congressional district
1993–present 		Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Bobby Rush		 United States Representatives by seniority
51st 		Succeeded by
Nydia Velázquez
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