GA Democrat David Scott, 80, Dies After 50 Years Of Service

U.S. Rep. David Scott, a Democrat representing some of metro Atlanta's major counties, has died at age 80, his office announced Wednesday.

A cause of death was not released for the community leader who served at last five decades in public service and was running for re-election this year, seeking a 13th term in office.

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"Beyond his public services, he was a devoted father, grandfather, husband and friend. He will be remembered not only for his leadership but for his kindness, compassion and enduring impact on those around him," read a statement from his office posted to Instagram.

Scott, who grew up on a South Carolina farm and relocated to Atlanta to start an advertising business, was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002. He represented Georgia's 13th Congressional District, including Henry, Clayton, DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton and Gwinnett counties.

Before then, he was a member of former U.S. Rep. Andrew Young's congressional campaign in 1972 in Georgia.

Two years later, he was elected to the Georgia General Assembly as a state representative before becoming a state senator in 1982.

While serving in Congress, Scott advocated for farmers, jobs, healthcare, education, veterans, children and transportation.

He was the first Black chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and was once a leading voice for Democrats on issues related to farm aid policy and food aid for consumers.

Scott was also a prominent Black member of the party’s moderate Blue Dog caucus. But he faced criticism in recent years because of declining health, enduring a primary challenge in 2024 and facing another one at the time of his death.

"The State of Georgia is a better place thanks to the service of Congressman Scott," U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-GA, tweeted. "May his memory be a blessing."

Through his 2018 Farm Bill, he was able to to acquire $80 million in funding for agriculture-focused scholarships at the 19 Historically Black 1890’s Land-Grant Colleges and Universities, his biography read.

Scott was also credited with adding Father's Day to the U.S. Flag Code and leading the National Heritage Area designation for Arabia Mountain in DeKalb.

He earned a bachelor's of arts degree from Florida A&M University in 1967 and a master's of business administration with honors from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania in 1969.

Scott’s death slightly widens Republicans’ narrow House majority going into the thick of this midterm election year.

The GOP began the current Congress with a 220-215 advantage, but the margin has fluctuated. Scott is the fourth House Democrat to die in office during this Congress.

Scott had been mostly absent from the campaign trail in 2024 and 2026 and had become a noted example of Democrats' aging leadership targeted by younger generations of the left. He dodged questions from reporters when he qualified for another term in March, but he earlier dismissed pressure to retire.

“Thank God I’m in good health, moving and doing the people’s work,” Scott said in 2024.

His wife and campaign adviser Alfredia Scott was even more direct. “When the congressman decides to leave, he won’t be pushed out,” she said in 2024. “He will bow out.”

Georgia officials will have to schedule a special election to fill out the rest of Scott’s term, which could overlap with elections to choose a representative for the next two-year term.

Early in-person voting starts Monday for May 19 party primaries for the next full term.

The Associated Press contributed reporting and writing.