Rep. David Scott, a longtime Georgia lawmaker whose political career stretched from the state Capitol to Congress, has died at 80.
Scott’s death was announced on Wednesday (April 22), confirmed by the Associated Press. The Georgia Democrat had represented parts of metro Atlanta in Congress since 2003 and was seeking a 13th term at the time of his death.
For many Georgians, Scott’s name was tied to a style of politics that was steady, local, and rooted in service. Before arriving in Washington, he spent nearly three decades in the Georgia General Assembly, first winning a seat in the state House in 1974 and later serving in the state Senate.
Scott built his life and political career in Georgia after being born in South Carolina and raised in Florida. In Congress, he became known as a moderate Democrat, a defender of farm programs and food assistance, and a lawmaker who often emphasized direct service to constituents through job fairs, health events, and community outreach.
His biggest national milestone came in 2020, when he became the first Black chair of the House Agriculture Committee — a history-making role in one of Congress’s most powerful policy arenas.
That achievement became a central part of how colleagues remembered him on Wednesday. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Scott “a trailblazer” who “rose up from humble beginnings to become the first African American ever to chair the House Ag Committee,” adding that he was “fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia.”
Tributes also poured in across Georgia. Gov. Brian Kemp said the state was mourning “a devoted public servant” and praised Scott as “a stalwart supporter of Georgia’s agriculture industry.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens called him “one of Georgia’s longest-serving voices in Washington D.C.” and a “tireless advocate” who fought for farmers, veterans, and everyday residents in his district.
Scott’s later years in office were more complicated. The AP noted that he faced criticism and questions about his health, especially as he sought reelection in 2024 and again in 2026. His declining visibility on the campaign trail had prompted renewed debate about whether he should step aside, but he rejected those calls last year, telling reporters, “Thank God I’m in good health, moving and doing the people’s work.”
Still, the scope of his career is undeniable. He was one of the most prominent Black moderates in Congress, a longtime member of the Blue Dog coalition, and a fixture in Georgia Democratic politics for more than 50 years.
His death also creates a vacancy in Georgia’s 13th District and slightly widens Republicans’ narrow House majority.
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.