What Happened to David Albert Scott?
David Albert Scott was an American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 13th congressional district from 2003 until his death on April 22, 2026. A Democrat, he was a long-serving member of both chambers of the Georgia Legislature before his election to Congress and chaired the House Agriculture Committee from 2021 to 2023. Scott passed away at the age of 80 while seeking his 13th term in Congress.
Quick Answer
U.S. Representative David Albert Scott, a Democrat representing Georgia's 13th congressional district, died on April 22, 2026, at the age of 80. He had served in Congress since 2003, following a long career in the Georgia state legislature. Scott's health had been a concern in recent years, and he passed away while campaigning for his 13th term in office.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Born in Aynor, South Carolina
David Albert Scott was born in Aynor, South Carolina.
Married Alfredia Aaron
Scott married Alfredia Aaron, the sister of Baseball Hall of Fame member Hank Aaron.
Began serving in Georgia House of Representatives
Scott started his political career as a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives for the 37th district.
Began serving in Georgia State Senate
After eight years in the House, Scott transitioned to the Georgia State Senate, representing the 36th district.
Sworn into U.S. House of Representatives
Scott began his tenure as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 13th congressional district.
Became Chair of House Agriculture Committee
Scott assumed the chairmanship of the influential House Agriculture Committee.
Became Ranking Member of House Agriculture Committee
Following a change in House control, Scott became the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee.
Health concerns become public
Reports emerged about Scott's declining health, including difficulties with policy discussions and being photographed in a wheelchair.
Removed as Ranking Member of House Agriculture Committee
Due to health concerns, party leadership removed Scott from his position as Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee.
Opposed Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026
Congressman Scott released a statement opposing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, despite believing in a bipartisan Farm Bill.
Requested FY2027 Community Project Funding
Scott announced a list of twenty Community Project Funding priorities for Georgia's 13th Congressional District for the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations cycle.
Introduced Endometriosis awareness measure
Scott, along with other representatives, introduced a bipartisan measure to increase education and awareness of Endometriosis.
Died at age 80
U.S. Representative David Albert Scott passed away at the age of 80 while serving in Congress.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
David Albert Scott was a prominent figure in Georgia and national politics for over five decades. Born on June 27, 1945, in Aynor, South Carolina, Scott earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Florida A&M University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His political career began in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1975, where he served until 1983, before moving to the Georgia State Senate, serving there until 2003.
In 2002, Scott was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Georgia's 13th congressional district, a position he held for over two decades. During his tenure in Congress, he became a senior member of both the House Agriculture Committee and the House Financial Services Committee. A significant highlight of his congressional career was serving as the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee from January 2021 to January 2023, and subsequently as its Ranking Member from 2023 to 2025.
Towards the later years of his life, concerns about Scott's health became more public. By 2024, reports indicated he often read from scripts and struggled with conversations related to his committee work, leading to alarm among his Democratic colleagues. He was photographed arriving at the Capitol in a wheelchair in late 2024, and party leadership eventually removed him from his ranking member position on the House Agriculture Committee.
Despite these health challenges, Scott continued to serve and was actively seeking re-election for his 13th term in Congress, facing a contested Democratic primary scheduled for May 19, 2026. His campaign website highlighted his efforts in securing federal funding for his district and resolving constituent cases. However, on April 22, 2026, David Albert Scott passed away at the age of 80. His death marked the end of a long and impactful career dedicated to public service in both state and federal government.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if David Albert Scott made different choices?