Democratic Rep. David Scott Dies in Office at 80 on Heels of 3 House Resignations in Fiercely Divided Congress

U.S. Rep. David Scott, a moderate Democrat who broke barriers as the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, died Wednesday. He was 80.

Scott’s passing, confirmed by congressional leadership, concludes a 23-year tenure representing Georgia’s 13th Congressional District. His death adds another vacancy to a fractured 119th Congress that has been defined by historic turnover and narrow margins of power.

A Legislative Legacy in Agriculture

First elected in 2002, Scott became a fixture of metro Atlanta politics. He rose to national prominence in 2021 when he assumed the chairmanship of the House Agriculture Committee, where he advocated for rural broadband, student scholarships for 1890s Land Grant Universities, and assistance for small-scale farmers.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) lauded Scott as a “trailblazer” who rose from humble beginnings to the halls of power. “He was fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia,” Jeffries told reporters at the Capitol.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also offered tribute, noting that Scott “spent the majority of his life in service to others.”

Turbulence in the 119th Congress

Scott’s death occurs during a period of unprecedented volatility for the House of Representatives. He is the fifth sitting member of the 119th Congress to die since it convened in January 2025, following the deaths of Reps. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.).

The chamber is also reeling from a wave of abrupt departures:

• Ethics Scandals: Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) resigned earlier this month amid misconduct allegations.
• Expulsion Pressure: Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) resigned Tuesday, narrowly avoiding an expulsion vote by the House Ethics Committee.
• Partisan Shifts: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) resigned in November 2025 following a public rift with President Donald Trump.

The Political Outlook

Scott had been facing a challenging re-election cycle. Despite health concerns that drew criticism from within his own party, he was prepared to defend his seat in a crowded Democratic primary scheduled for May 19, 2026. Everton Blair Jr., one of Scott’s primary opponents, paused his campaign Wednesday to offer condolences, stating, “Today, politics fade and humanity remains.”

The House currently maintains a slim 218-212 Republican majority. With Scott’s passing and recent resignations, the number of vacancies continues to climb, complicating legislative efforts as both parties eye the critical November midterm elections.

Governor Brian Kemp is expected to announce a special election to fill the remainder of Scott’s term in the coming weeks.