Longtime Georgia Congressman David Scott Dies at 80 During Reelection Campaign

A major shakeup is hitting Washington after the death of U.S. Rep. David Scott, a veteran Democrat who had served Georgia in Congress for more than two decades while actively running for reelection.

Scott, 80, represented Georgia’s 13th Congressional District since 2003, making him one of the longest-serving members of the state’s congressional delegation. His passing was confirmed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and multiple Capitol Hill reporters, sending immediate shockwaves through Georgia politics.

What makes the news especially significant is the timing. Scott had recently qualified for the May 2026 Democratic primary, signaling he was still fully engaged in a competitive race despite his long tenure in office.

Scott’s political career stretched far beyond Congress.

Before arriving in Washington, he served in the Georgia state legislature and built a background as a businessman. In Congress, he became a steady figure in Democratic politics, known for his focus on agriculture, economic development, and rural policy.

He eventually rose to chair the powerful House Agriculture Committee, a role that placed him at the center of national debates on farming subsidies, food supply chains, and rural economic stability.

Scott was also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the New Democrat Coalition, reflecting his long-standing involvement in both progressive and centrist Democratic circles.

His district, which includes parts of the southern Atlanta metro area, has been considered politically competitive in recent election cycles. That context makes his death not only a personal loss for colleagues but also a potential turning point for the upcoming race.

With Scott no longer in the contest, questions now emerge about what happens next on the ballot, including how Democrats will reorganize their primary lineup and whether new candidates will enter the race at the last minute.

Tributes have already begun circulating across Capitol Hill, with lawmakers acknowledging his decades of service and his role in shaping agricultural policy at the national level.

Scott’s career spanned nearly 24 years in Congress, a period marked by shifting political landscapes, party realignments, and repeated electoral battles in a changing Georgia.

For many in Washington, his absence marks the end of a long era of institutional experience in the House.

And for Georgia’s 13th District, it sets up an unexpected and urgent political scramble just weeks before voters head to the polls.