Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) has died at the age of 80, according to Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), who disclosed his death at a committee hearing on Wednesday, and a number of other lawmakers.
First elected to the state Assembly in Georgia in 1974, Scott’s career in politics spanned decades. The 12-term lawmaker became the first Black chair of the House’s powerful Agriculture Committee when he was tapped to lead the panel in 2020.
Scott’s death leaves Congress at 218 Republicans and 212 Democrats, with five vacancies. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, will have 10 days to call a special election to fill the vacancy in the deep blue seat.
Scott is the fifth sitting House member to die this Congress, following Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) and Gerry Connolly (D-Va.).
Scott faced criticism for seeking reelection in 2024 even as declining health imperiled his ability to negotiate a $1.5 trillion farm bill. Scott was also seeking reelection to his Atlanta-area district later this year. He was already facing a number of primary challengers — including state Rep. Jasmine Clark, who had far outraised him this cycle.
“In more than two decades in Congress, Congressman David Scott served the people of Georgia’s 13th District with unwavering dedication and honor,” Clark said in a statement Wednesday. “He leaves behind a legacy woven into the very fabric of our community, our state, and our nation.”
Scott spent 20 years as a Georgia state senator before his election to the House in 2002, rising to a senior post on the chamber’s Financial Services committee along with his role on agriculture.
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