Georgia Democratic Congressman David Scott Passes Away
Georgia Democratic Congressman David Scott has died at the age of 80, marking his passing as the fifth member of the 119th Congress to do so. Since Congress convened in January 2025, there will be no deaths in office going forward.
Scott, a veteran lawmaker first elected in 2002, was serving his 12th term and was in pursuit of a 13th. Despite concerns over his health and frequent absences from campaign activities, he completed his term.
The Democratic caucus has faced two recent deflections, including the resignation of Rep. Sheila Cherfils McCormick (D-Fla.), who stepped down after allegations of mishandling millions in federal coronavirus relief funds.
Though the cause of death hasn’t been confirmed, Scott had faced increasing pressure in recent years from younger, more progressive voters to step down. Earlier this term, Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) took over as the leading Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee.
Ignoring calls for retirement and often sidestepping media interviews in his final qualification period in March, Scott remained a well-respected figure in Washington. He is remembered as a key architect of Democratic farm aid and food assistance policies.
The situation now falls to Governor Brian Kemp (R-Ga.), who must organize a special election to fill 13 seats that expanded as Republicans sought to bolster their narrow majority ahead of the uncertain midterms.
State officials are now working on scheduling the special election, which could coincide with the regular election cycle for the upcoming two-year term. This comes at a crucial time, with early voting set to begin Monday for the party’s May 19 primary.
Following Scott’s death, fellow Democratic lawmakers expressed their condolences. House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York highlighted the significant impact of Scott’s decades of service on both his district and Congress as a whole.
“The news of Congressman Scott’s passing is extremely saddening,” Jeffries stated. “David Scott was a pioneer who served his district admirably, rising from poverty to become the first African-American to chair the House Agriculture Committee. He genuinely cared for the people he represented. His dedication to getting things done for Georgia will be missed.”
Scott’s passing follows the deaths of four other Congressional members in the past year, including Representative Sylvester Turner (D-Texas), who passed away on March 4, 2025, and Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who died on March 13, 2025, after battling lung cancer. In May 2025, Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) also passed away after facing esophageal cancer. Most recently, Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) died on January 6, 2026, due to a heart attack.
These losses have led to ongoing transitions within the House as both parties navigate the resulting special elections and the shifting dynamics of power.
