LOUISVILLE, Ky. ā Kentucky State Representative Attica Scott says she is running for Congress.
According to a press release, Scott is running for the Democratic nomination for Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District, which includes nearly all of Metro Louisville. Scott is seeking to unseat John Yarmuth (D), who has represented the state's 3rd Congressional District since 2007.
During a virtual press conference Wednesday, the state representative said her campaign is based on being a representative and an advocate for the whole community. If she is elected, Scott would be the first Black woman to represent Kentucky in Congress.
"Louisville needs a leader who sees its true colors and understands the experiences of all of our neighbors," Scott said in her campaign video shown during the press conference.
In the video, Scott mentioned several of her campaign platforms, which include pushing for equitable wealth, lowering pollution and decriminalizing marijuana.
"We can create a country that prioritizes equity, fairness and justice," she said.
Scott grew up in the Beecher Terrace housing project in Louisville. She said her life experiences, including losing her mother to addiction and her father's frequent incarceration, allow her to have empathy and put her in a position to take action on behalf of the community.
"My public service is about answering the call of the people," Scott said.
Rep. Scott has been a Kentucky state representative for three terms and has previously served on Louisville Metro Council. Scott said she does not plan to resign from her current position before the upcoming legislative session.
"She started off being here on the Louisville metro council, she moved on and was elected to the statehouse of representatives where she has been very outspoken," says Dr. Dewey Clayton, a UofL Political Science Professor. "In fact she pushed for Breonna's law at the state level."
As a state representative, Scott has advocated for the ban on no-knock warrants, better maternal and child healthcare within the Black community and participated in the protests surrounding Breonna Taylor's death in 2020.
Clayton says because of last summer's protests, here in Louisville and across the country, this upcoming election season will be different in the selection of candidates. With more minorities joining in, especially Black Women.
"They are winning mayoral races around the country they are winning congressional seats across the country. And there is a whole new sense of activism and I think its great for democracy to see this. As I said we are seeing across the country and we are now seeing it here in Louisville."
Earlier this year, Scott filed a joint lawsuit against Louisville Metro Police for being arrested and "falsely charged" during the protests in September 2020.
Scott has also played a major role in getting the CROWN Act passed in Louisville. At the end of June, Scott pre-filed a bill to ban hair-based discrimination statewide.
A representative for John Yarmuth released the following statement in response to Scott's campaign announcement:
"Chairman Yarmuth isn't thinking about the 2022 campaign season right now. He just got the American Rescue Plan enacted he's continuing to work closely with President Biden as his committee advances the White House's FY2022 Budget proposal, and there's a potential infrastructure reconciliation package on the horizon which he will also lead. There will be a time to discuss reelection, but right now he's completely focused on doing his job and continuing to deliver for Louisville."
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