The Smile

Congratulate Rep. Everton Blair on Being Sworn In

Rep. Everton Blair was sworn into Congress this week, becoming Georgia's first openly gay member of the U.S. House. He won a special election runoff to complete the term of the late Rep. David Scott, representing Georgia's 13th District until a new term begins in January.

What's just as notable is how quickly it happened. Speaker Mike Johnson has a well-documented habit of slow-walking Democratic swearings-in — Rep. Adelita Grijalva famously waited a record 50 days for her ceremony. Blair, by contrast, was sworn in within 48 hours, the kind of swift treatment Republicans usually reserve for their own.

Blair's arrival also tightens the math in the House considerably, narrowing the GOP's already thin majority to just 218–213. State Rep. Jasmine Clark is already campaigning to hold the seat for Democrats in November, but for now, this moment belongs to Blair.

A historic barrier just fell in Georgia's congressional delegation, and it deserves to be celebrated, regardless of how short the term ahead may be.

Add your name to congratulate Rep. Blair on making history, breaking Speaker Johnson's pattern of delay, and taking his rightful seat in Congress.
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