Rep. Paul Scott recalled, concedes defeat

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Former State Representative Paul Scott addresses media after voter outlook turned for the worse in the recall of the 51st District of Michigan on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at the GOP Headquarters in Grand Blanc. / JARRAD HENDERSON/Detroit Free Press

State Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc, became the first state legislator to be recalled in a generation after he conceded defeat in a recall election today.

• Update: Michigan Republicans vow to reclaim seat of recalled state Rep. Paul Scott

The recall was backed by the Michigan Education Association.

Election turnout was high across Scott’s district, which covers much of south Genesee County, but appeared to be especially strong in union strongholds near the City of Flint where the vote counts were delayed.

Scott's seat will be filled in a special election Feb. 28. Candidates will be selected by their respective political parties. The winner will serve until the end of his current term in December 2012. Scott cannot run in the special election, but could try to re-take the seat in next year's regularly scheduled elections. He said Tuesday night he was considering that option.

The recall of Scott is, "unfortunate," said state GOP chairman Robert Schostak. "But the voters have spoken and we have to live with it. It's not going to make us take our eye off the ball in the 2012 election."