U.S. Representative David Scott of Georgia Dies at 80
The Democrat was running for re-election to a 13th term this year.
U.S. Representative David Scott of Georgia, a Democrat, has died after 51 years in elected office at both the state and federal level. His death was confirmed by his office earlier today. He was 80 years old.
Scott served Georgia’s 13th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since January 2003. The majority-Black district was redrawn in 2024 following federal litigation. Based in the southwest suburbs and exurbs of Atlanta, it covers parts of Clayton, Cobb, Fayette, Fulton, and Henry Counties.
Before joining Congress, Scott served in both chambers of the state legislature. He held District 37 in the Georgia House of Representatives from January 1975 to December 1982 and District 36 in the Georgia Senate from January 1983 to December 2002.
Following the 2000 census, Georgia gained a district in its congressional delegation. In 2002, Scott topped the five-candidate Democratic primary with 53.8%. He then went on to win the general election with a 59.6-40.4 victory against Republican Clay Cox. He served for 12 terms in office and was running for re-election later this year at the time of his passing.
For the last few years, Scott has been the subject of stories about his declining health and absent voting record. Several of his colleagues believed that compromised his ability to serve as the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. He held that position from January 2021 to January 2025. He chaired the committee from January 2021 to January 2023 - making him the first Black man to lead the panel. He was removed from the position at the start of the 119th Congress. Angie Craig of Minnesota became the committee’s Ranking Member. Scott continued to have a seat on the Agriculture panel as well as the Financial Services Committee.
For the same reasons, Scott faced multiple primary challengers in 2024 and again this year. In 2024, he averted a runoff by obtaining 57.6% of the vote against six opponents. The primary for re-nomination this cycle is scheduled for May 19. Scott’s name will remain on the primary ballot. He was being challenged by former Gwinnett County Board of Education chair Everton Blair, State Representative Jasmine Clark, pastor Jeff Fauntleroy, State Senator Emanuel Jones, Married to Medicine star Heavenly Kimes, and dentist Joe Lester.
A special election will now be called to fill the remainder of Scott’s current term. In Georgia, special elections are conducted with every candidate competing on the same ballot regardless of partisan affiliation. A candidate needs to obtain a 50%+1 majority to be elected. If not, then the top two finishers will advance to a runoff. It’s currently unclear if any of the primary candidates will run in the special election. Scott will more than likely be succeeded in office by a Democrat.
Under the current lines, Democrat Kamala Harris won Georgia’s 13th Congressional District with a 70.7-28.4 finish against Republican Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. That came as Trump was flipping the state 50.7-48.5 in his ultimately successful national campaign. On the same ballot, Scott was re-elected with a 71.8-28.2 victory against Republican Jonathan Chavez.
Scott’s death marks the latest upheaval in membership for the U.S. House of Representatives this month. Clayton Fuller of Georgia and Analilia Mejia of New Jersey were sworn in after winning special elections. And then, three resignations occurred within the last week - Eric Swalwell of California, Tony Gonzales of Texas, and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida. Along with the death of Doug LaMalfa of California in January, the U.S. House now operates with five vacancies. Republicans maintain their majority by a 217-212 margin over Democrats, with one Independent who caucuses with the GOP.