Jim Scott (Virginia)

James Martin "Jim" Scott (born June 11, 1938) is an American politician and community affairs consultant. A Democrat, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in November 1991, and served eleven terms, declining to seek re-election in 2013. He represented the city of Falls Church and part of Fairfax County, including Merrifield; since at least 2002, the district was numbered the 53rd.

Born in Galax, Virginia in 1938, Scott graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, receiving a B.A. in 1960; and M.A. in 1965. Upon moving to northern Virginia to work for the Inova Health System, Scott attended graduate classes at George Mason University, and received a Master's degree in public affairs in 1982. His charitable work included through his United Church of Christ church, the Fairfax Partnership for Youth (board of directors), AHOME (Affordable Housing Opportunities Means Everyone), and the Fairfax Fair.

Scott worked as community affairs consultant for Inova Fairfax Hospital. He served, part-time, on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors 1972–86. Other public service positions he held were on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Northern Virginia Planning District Commission, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (former chairman), Virginia Association of Counties (former President), and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

In 2013 Scott announced that he would not run for reelection to the House of Delegates. He endorsed Marcus Simon, his former aide turned real estate lawyer, who was elected his successor.