Rep. David Scott, a cornerstone of Georgia's Democratic delegation and the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has died at 80, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced Wednesday.
Scott represented a district near Atlanta for more than two decades after his 2002 election to Congress. He was actively campaigning for a 13th term when he passed, having voted on the House floor as recently as Tuesday afternoon, according to congressional records.
"David Scott was a trailblazer who served the district that he represented admirably, rose up from humble beginnings to become the first African American ever to chair the House Agriculture Committee," Jeffries told reporters. "He cared about the people that he represented. He was fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia, and he'll be deeply missed."
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens released a statement mourning the congressman's loss. "For decades, he fought for Georgia farmers, advocated for our veterans and ensured his constituents were supported at the street level with job and health fairs, serving tens of thousands of Georgians over the years," Dickens said. "His legacy is one of service, perseverance and deep commitment to this state."
Scott's tenure on the Agriculture Committee made him a powerful voice in farm policy and rural affairs. He held the committee's top Democratic post until 2024, when party leadership brought in Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota as younger leaders were elevated to committee roles.
Recent years had brought scrutiny to Scott's political standing. Early this month, NBC News reported that in the opening quarter of his re-election bid, he was outraised by four of his primary opponents. In 2022, Politico reported observations from those close to Scott that he had slowed noticeably, and two years later he confronted a photographer who captured him being pushed in a wheelchair, demanding to know who authorized the image.
His death adds to recent losses within Congress. The House has seen multiple lawmaker deaths in recent years, including three Democratic representatives last year: Sylvester Turner of Texas, Raúl Grijalva of Arizona, and Gerry Connolly of Virginia. Republican Doug LaMalfa of California died earlier this year.
Scott's passing leaves the House with a shifting balance: 217 Republicans, 212 Democrats, and one independent who caucuses with Republicans. Under Georgia law, the governor has 10 days to declare a special election to fill the vacancy, with the election itself occurring at least 30 days after that declaration.
This Congress is the third-oldest in U.S. history. More than a dozen House members age 80 or older were running for re-election as of January, reflecting the aging composition of the legislative body.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Scott's journey from humble roots to breaking barriers in agriculture policy exemplifies a generation of Democratic leaders whose imprint on rural America will endure long after their retirement would have."
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