Rep. David Scott, 80, of Georgia, dies

Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., has died at 80, according to Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., who announced the death of the longtime congressman at a committee hearing Wednesday.

Scott was a 12-term lawmaker who was first elected in 2002. He represented Georgia’s 13th district, which includes portions of six counties south and east of Atlanta: Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Newton, Dekalb and Gwinnett.

A cause of death has not been released.

He became the first Black chairman of the Agriculture Committee in 2020.

He was known in Washington, D.C., as a centrist who advocated for farmers, historically Black colleges and universities, and community programs. He often hosted job fairs and health events in his district, which helped him maintain strong voter support.

Scott had filed to run again for his district this year.

Before heading to Washington, Scott spent 28 years in the Georgia General Assembly, beginning in 1974. From 1974 to 1982, he was a state representative, and from 1983 to 2002, he was a state senator.

Scott was born in South Carolina and raised in Florida. He graduated from Florida A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in 1967. He got his MBA with honors from the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania in 1969.

But he spent his adult years in Georgia, where he and his wife created and ran a billboard advertising company, Dayn-Mark Advertising.

He also created and performed in the Georgia PBS Emmy-award winning TV production Langston! about the poetry and life of the poet and playwright Langston Hughes. He also created and was the voice for the award-winning radio program Inside Black America, which was broadcast on radio stations nationwide.

Scott is survived by his wife, Alfredia Aaron Scott, their daughters Dayna and Marcye, two grandchildren and a son-in-law.

“Congressman Scott devoted his life to public service and the State of Georgia, ... a better place thanks to the service of Congressman Scott,” said Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga, in a statement. “May his memory be a blessing.”

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp offered his condolences.

“A devoted public servant, he served his state as a stalwart supporter of Georgia’s agriculture industry -- our largest economic driver. Our prayers are with his family, colleagues and loved ones at this time,” Kemp said in a statement.

“Atlanta joins the state of Georgia in mourning the passing of Congressman David Scott, one of Georgia’s longest-serving voices in Washington, D.C., and a tireless advocate for the people he served,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens in a statement. “For decades, he fought for Georgia farmers, advocated for our veterans and ensured his constituents were supported at the street level with job and health fairs, serving tens of thousands of Georgians over the years. His legacy is one of service, perseverance and deep commitment to this state. My thoughts are with his wife Alfredia Aaron, his children, extended family, his colleagues, and all who were impacted by his work.”

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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 1:47 PM.