David Scott, a Georgia Democrat in the US Congress since 2003, has died at age 80. He was running for a thirteenth consecutive term. His death marks the fourth Democrat in the House of Representatives to die in office.
David Scott, a businessman and longtime Georgia legislator, had represented his state's 13th district since 2003. Elected twelve times, he became in 2021 the first Black chair of the House Agriculture Committee.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries paid tribute to him. “David Scott was a pioneer who served the district he represented admirably,” said the New York congressman. “He cared about the people he represented. He was fiercely committed to advancing things for the people of the great state of Georgia, and he will be deeply missed.”
Scott's last vote was on Tuesday for a bill on hydroelectric projects. The cause of death has not been disclosed. His vacant seat shifts the House balance to 217 Republicans, 212 Democrats, and one independent aligned with Republicans, ahead of November's midterm elections.
