Politics & Government

Del. Jim Scott Hanging it up After 22 Years in State Politics

Marcus Simon, Scott's legislative aide, is looking to replace his mentor.

Del. Jim Scott may have spent his last day in Virginia’s General Assembly this week, but the 74-year-old delegate from the 53rd District won’t be done with politics completely until January when his replacement is sworn in.

Scott – who represents the City of Falls Church, Merrifield, and portions of Providence, Mason and McLean districts – said his decision to leave politics is based on a desire to spend more time with family and travel. He won’t be playing any golf, but Scott said he does plan on attending some Washington Nationals games during his retirement.

“We may do a little traveling outside the country and a great deal of travel inside the country,” he said.

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Scott first got into politics in 1971 when he was elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, a position he held until 1986. In 1991, Scott won his 53rd District seat in a recount by one point. Marcus Simon, Scott’s legislative aide, has filed to run for the seat and according to the Sun Gazette, no one else has filed to run against him yet. Simon officially kicked off his campaign Thursday in Fairfax.

With years of politics under his belt, Scott said he has lots of memories and has met many friends along the way.

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At least once a month through the end of the year, Scott will still have his appropriations committee meetings in Richmond. He won’t miss the partisan sniping, but he will miss the relationships he’s made.

“I will miss some of the friendships I’ve made in the political arena,” Scott said. “It won’t end now, I still have a few meetings left.”


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