Rep. David Scott dies suddenly just weeks before primary election in bid for 13th term
Rep. David Scott has died after representing his Georgia district for more than two decades. He was 80 years old.
The cause of death was not immediately released. He was the fifth member of the 119th Congress to die since January 2025.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters the news of his death was “deeply sad.”
“David Scott was a pioneer who admirably served the district he represented, rising from humble beginnings to become the first African American to chair the House Ag Committee,” he added. “He cared about the people he represented. He was fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia, and he will be greatly missed.
Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., speaks on…
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Mr. Scott, a Democrat, was up for reelection this year to what would have been his 13th term in Congress. He faced several primary challengers who used his age as an argument to replace him.
His opponents in the May 19 primary included state Rep. Jasmine Clark, dentist Heavenly Kimes, former Gwinnett County School Board Chairman Everton Blair and state Sen. Emanuel Jones.
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However, voters in Mr. Scott’s constituency still appeared to support him despite concerns about his advanced age and declining mental acuity.
He was first elected to Congress in 2002 and previously served as the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. He was the first black man to chair the panel. Prior to his tenure in Washington, he served 20 years in the Georgia State Senate and eight years in the State House of Representatives.
Mr. Scott was a strong advocate for farmers, food relief and, historically, black colleges and universities. He recently expressed opposition to a federal farm bill because it “failed to provide additional relief to producers who have been hardest hit.”
He also requested nearly $32 million to boost his district’s infrastructure – for water systems, transportation and public safety.
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