David Scott, who built a half-century political career in Georgia before representing the Atlanta suburbs in Congress for two decades, has died at age 80. The moderate Democrat held his House seat since 2003 and had just qualified to seek a 12th term when his health declined sharply.
Scott's final years in office were shadowed by visible health struggles. He had not spoken on the House floor in two years and was caught on camera falling asleep during this year's State of the Union address. His voting record showed he had skipped numerous elections, including his own 2024 re-election bid, the presidential election, and several state and municipal races.
As ranking member of the House agriculture committee, Scott made his mark on farming policy and rural issues. He became the first Black chairman of the agriculture committee when Democrats held the House majority. Beyond his committee work, Scott pushed legislation on rural housing and financial literacy for homebuyers, recently securing passage of those provisions in a bipartisan housing bill in February.
His political arc reflected a willingness to diverge from Democratic orthodoxy. Early in his career, Scott supported a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, a position he later abandoned. He backed tax cuts under the George W. Bush administration when few Democrats did, and in 2016 controversially endorsed Republican U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson over the Democratic candidate in Georgia's Senate race.
Scott's path to Congress began in the Georgia state house in 1974, where he served eight years before moving to the state senate for a decade. He earned a finance degree from Florida A&M University and an MBA from Wharton, later building a business in billboard marketing before entering electoral politics.
His health challenges triggered a competitive Democratic primary in his suburban Atlanta district. Jasmine Clark, a microbiologist and Emory University professor in the state legislature, and Everton Blair Jr., a former Gwinnett County school board chairman, both challenged Scott for the nomination.
Georgia leaders mourned Scott's passing. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff said the state was better for his service stretching from the state legislature through Congress. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens noted Scott's decades-long advocacy for farmers, veterans, and his constituents through job fairs and health services.
Scott's death marked the third congressional loss for Democrats in 2025 involving members over age 70.
Author James Rodriguez: "Scott's moderate streak and willingness to buck his own party on farm policy and rural issues carved out real influence on the agriculture committee, but his final act in Congress was overshadowed by a health crisis that clearly outpaced his determination to serve."
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