Breaking: Longtime Democratic Congressman David Scott Dies at Age 80
Rep. David Scott, a Georgia Democrat and the first Black person to chair the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, has died at age 80. Multiple outlets, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (citing Scott’s office) and WAGA-TV, confirmed his passing and noted he spent nearly five decades in elected office, including a long tenure in the Georgia General Assembly before joining Congress in 2002. Born in 1945 in South Carolina, Scott grew up on his grandparents’ farm, moved to Georgia, and started an advertising business with his wife. In washington, he was regarded as a centrist who championed farmers, historically Black colleges and universities, and community programs; he won his last election in georgia’s 13th District with about 71.8% of the vote. No cause of death was released, and his death comes as several House seats have recently become vacant amid resignations.
Rep. David Scott, a Georgia Democrat, has died at the age of 80, according to multiple news sources.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported the news, citing confirmation from Scott’s office.
Georgia Democratic U.S. Rep. David Scott, the first Black man to chair the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, has died after nearly 50 years of elected office. He was 80 years old.
His death was confirmed by his office. Scott had filed to run for a 13th term in office this year… pic.twitter.com/WNOZxqIwle
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution (@ajc) April 22, 2026
Scott had recently filed to run for a 13th term in the House of Representatives.
WAGA-TV in Atlanta also confirmed Scott’s passing, noting he spent nearly five decades in elected office.
Scott began his political career in the 1970s.
He served 28 years in the Georgia General Assembly before his election to the U.S. House in 2002.
Scott was born in South Carolina in 1945 and grew up working on his grandparents’ farm, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I picked the cotton, I suckered tobacco, I fed the hogs, I milked the cows,” he told the outlet. “God was preparing me way back for this significant time.”
He later moved to Georgia, where he and his wife started an advertising business.
In Washington, Scott was known as more of a centrist Democrat.
He was known as a strong advocate for farmers, historically black colleges and universities, and community programs.
He became the first black person to chair the House’s powerful Agriculture Committee in 2020.
No cause of death was available as of Wednesday afternoon.
Scott won his last election in Georgia’s reliably blue 13th Congressional District with 71.8 percent of the vote.
His is the fourth seat in the House to become vacant in the last week.
Reps. Eric Swalwell and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, both Democrats, resigned amid scandal.
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzalez also resigned.
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