Scott, the first black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, was first elected to Congress in 2002 and was up for re-election.
Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., during a House Financial Services Committee hearing, in Washington, DC, 2021.Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesApril 22, 2026, 1:07 p.m. EDT / Updated April 22, 2026, 1:11 p.m. EDT
Rep. David Scott, Democrat of Georgia, has died at the age of 80, according to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“The passing of Congressman Scott is deeply sad,” Jeffries told reporters. “David Scott was a trailblazer who admirably served the district he represented, rising from humble beginnings to become the first African American to preside over the House. [Agriculture] Committee. He cared about the people he represented. He was fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia, and he will be greatly missed.
NBC News has reached out to Scott’s office for comment.
Scott was first elected to Congress, representing a district outside Atlanta, in 2002. He was running for re-election to a 13th term in the House.
The first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, he was replaced as the committee’s top Democrat by Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., in 2024, as the party sought to recruit younger committee leadership.
His death also follows that of several other lawmakers who have died in recent years. Last year, Representative Sylvester TurnerD-Texas; Representative Raúl GrijalvaD-Ariz.; And Representative Gerry Connolly, D-Va., died last year. Representative Doug LaMalfaR-Calif., also died earlier this year.
His death brings the party split in the House to 217 Republicans, 212 Democrats and one independent — Rep. Kevin Kiley, who caucuses with Republicans.
Under Georgia election law, the governor must declare a special election within 10 days of a vacancy, and the special election must occur at least 30 days after such declaration.
