David Scott, the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has died at 80, according to multiple reports. The announcement came during the Congressional Black Caucus’ weekly luncheon on Capitol Hill. Scott was pursuing his 13th term in Congress and was a member of the moderate Blue Dog caucus. His death marginally expands the Republican Party’s slim House majority.
Scott was born on June 27, 1945, in Aynor, South Carolina. He graduated from Florida A&M University and held an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Before his election to Congress in 2002, he served as a state lawmaker in Georgia.
The news of Congressman Scott’s passing is deeply sad.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed sadness over Scott's passing, calling him a "trailblazer who served the district that he represented admirably" and noting that Scott "rose up from humble beginnings to become the first African American ever to chair the House Ag Committee." Jeffries added that Scott "cared about the people that he represented" and was "fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia."
Scott's later years in office were marked by declining health, leading to criticism and primary challenges in both 2024 and at the time of his death. The exact cause and timing of his death have not been confirmed. It remains unclear how his seat will be filled.
Trailblazer who served district that he represented admirably, rose up from humble beginnings to become the first African American ever to chair the House Ag Committee.
He cared about the people that he represented. He was fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia, and he’ll be deeply missed.