Rep. David Scott, a longtime Georgia Democrat who served more than two decades in Congress and rose to lead one of the House’s most influential committees, has died at the age of 80, according to his office.
Scott, who represented Georgia’s 13th Congressional District since 2003, had been seeking a 13th term in office at the time of his death.
Scott’s political career spanned nearly five decades, beginning in the Georgia House in the 1970s before moving to the state Senate and eventually the U.S. House.
In Congress, he became a key figure on agricultural policy, serving as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee — the first Black lawmaker to hold that position — and later as its top Democrat.
He was also a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, representing a more moderate wing of the Democratic Party while advocating for farm programs and food assistance.
In recent years, Scott faced increasing scrutiny over his health and effectiveness, with multiple primary challengers emerging ahead of the 2026 election.
Despite those concerns, he remained in the race and had dismissed calls to step aside, insisting he was still capable of serving.
Scott’s death creates a vacancy in Georgia’s 13th District, a heavily Democratic seat in the Atlanta suburbs. A special election will be required to fill the position.
His passing also has immediate implications for the balance of power in the House, where Republicans hold a narrow majority and every seat is critical heading into the midterm elections.
Democratic leaders quickly praised Scott’s legacy, highlighting his rise from humble beginnings to a leadership role in Congress and his focus on delivering results for constituents.
Scott’s death marks the end of a long political career that bridged state and national politics — and leaves both a leadership void in Georgia and a new opening in an already high-stakes election cycle.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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As a conservative I say better one of them than one of us! On a more serious note I pray that he was a true Christian in The Lord’s eyes so that he will be welcomed into heaven and will get to spend eternity with God.