Rep. David Scott, longtime Georgia congressman, dies at 80

U.S. Rep. David Scott of Georgia’s Thirteenth Congressional District died Wednesday, according to a statement from his office. He was 80 years old.

The Democratic congressman served in Congress for more than 23 years and was running for re-election for a 13th term in the House representing Henry, Clayton, DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton and Gwinnett counties.

Georgia House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus, released a statement Wednesday to give her condolences.

“Rep. David Scott was an admired statesman with a long history of public service working on behalf of Georgians. I will always remember the grace he showed me, a brand-new member of the legislature, from his senior position as Chair of the Senate Rules Committee when I was just starting to learn my way around the Gold Dome. He was a fighter, and that’s how he was later elected to Congress, where he cast a key vote for passing the Affordable Care Act. He will be missed, and our condolences go out to his family and many friends.”

Scott made history when he became the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Before Congress, Scott served in the Georgia Senate for 19 years representing the 36th district and in the Georgia House for seven years.

In the state Senate, Scott wrote laws that are still in place today. One of those laws allow women undergoing breast cancer surgery to determine the length of medical care through physician consultation and another provides sex education and AIDS prevention curricula in Georgia public schools.

During his time in the Georgia House, Scott advocated for gun safety laws, including making it a felony to knowingly provide or sell a firearm to a minor. He also helped create PeachCare, which provides health insurance for Georgia children.

“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. 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,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, in a statement.

Under Georgia’s election law, Gov. Brian Kemp needs to call for a special election within 10 days of a vacancy, and the special election must be held within 30 days of that declaration.