What Happened To David Scott? All About Georgia’s 13th District Congressman Who Has Died At 80

David Scott, one of the most popular veteran U.S. lawmakers, has died at 80. His death marks the end of his decades-long career in politics. David represented Georgia’s 13th district in Congress for more than two decades. Needless to say, his death has drawn tributes from all sections of the political arena. The 80-year-old had particularly made history when he became the first African American to chair the House Agriculture Committee. Meanwhile, since David died while in office, several concerns over his health and the cause of his death have surfaced. 

What caused David Scott’s death? 

His office confirmed David Scott’s death to multiple media outlets. However, they have given no official cause of his death until now. According to reports, the 80-year-old lawmaker died on April 22, 2026, while actively serving in Congress. He was even participating in the House proceedings shortly before he died. Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries called it “deeply sad” news and recalled how David was a “trailblazer” who rose from humble beginnings to achieve historic success in American politics. In Hakeen’s words:

“David Scott was a trailblazer who served the district that he represented admirably, rising from humble beginnings to become the first African American ever to chair the House Agriculture Committee. He was fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia, and he’ll be deeply missed.”

In turn, tributes from different politicians and office bearers arrived. House Speaker, Mike Johnson praised David’s decades of service and noted that he had dedicated his life to serving the people of Georgia. On the other hand, Georgia’s Governor, Brian Kemp, highlighted David’s strong support for the state’s agriculture industry and called him a “devoted public servant”. But it is important to note that while there have been reactions from across the political spectrum, David Scott’s family has not released any personal statement on the matter. At the same time, the officials have not clarified whether his death was connected to any underlying health condition or not.

David Scott was dealing with multiple health concerns

Although there is no update about the exact cause of David Scott’s death, he had been dealing with multiple health challenges for some years now. Some reports suggest that he was suffering from persistent back problems that had affected his mobility and public appearances. He was often seen using a walking stick and underwent leg surgery in 2022. A report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggested that David had even spent time in rehabilitation for his back issues in 2024. In turn, he had missed several House sessions during that period.

David Scott’s health concerns also brought him criticism from his political party. Some Democratic colleagues had raised questions about his ability to continue in a high-pressure role with hectic schedules due to his age and health issues. They pointed out how it had reduced his activity on the campaign trail and might affect his work. But despite this criticism, David remained firmly committed to his duties and continued to serve his constituency in Congress until his last breath.

More about David Scott

David Scott was born in 1945 in South Carolina. He was raised in Florida and Georgia before he graduated from Florida A&M University. David followed it by pursuing his MBA at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Before entering politics, David used his education to build a business career and founded an advertising firm in Atlanta. The company used to work on media production and public broadcasting projects. 

Later, David Scott started his political career in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1975. He was particularly keen on public safety and healthcare initiatives. Eventually, David moved to the Georgia State Senate, where he served for two decades and spoke on education, women’s health rights, and social welfare. Lastly, David was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia’s 13th District. Notably, he held the post for more than 20 years.

Rest in peace, David Scott. 

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