Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) has died at the age of 80, according to Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), who disclosed his death at a committee hearing on Wednesday, and a number of other lawmakers.
First elected to the state Assembly in Georgia in 1974, Scott’s career in politics spanned decades. The 12-term lawmaker became the first Black chair of the House’s powerful Agriculture Committee when he was tapped to lead the panel in 2020.
Scott’s death leaves Congress at 218 Republicans and 212 Democrats, with five vacancies. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, will have 10 days to call a special election to fill the vacancy in the deep blue seat.
Scott is the fifth sitting House member to die this Congress, following Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) and Gerry Connolly (D-Va.).
