ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. Rep. David Scott, a Georgia Democrat who rose from the segregated South to become the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and a consistent supporter of Israel, has died. He was 80.

Scott, who had been seeking his 13th term in Congress despite mounting health concerns and intra-party challenges, was widely regarded as a pragmatic, pro-Israel Democrat who maintained close ties with the Jewish community throughout his career.

A leading voice on agricultural and food policy, Scott championed farm support programs and food assistance for low-income Americans, while also aligning with the moderate Blue Dog coalition. Even as criticism grew in recent years over his health and political longevity, Scott remained defiant, insisting he was still capable of serving his constituents.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Scott as a trailblazer.

“The news of Congressman Scott’s passing is deeply sad,” Jeffries said Wednesday. “David Scott was a trailblazer who served the district that he represented admirably, rose up from humble beginnings to become the first African American ever to chair the House Agriculture Committee. He cared deeply about his constituents and was committed to delivering results.”

AIPAC mourns the passing of Rep. David Scott, a strong friend of the pro-Israel community and supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

We convey our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and House colleagues.

— AIPAC 🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@AIPAC) April 22, 2026

The news broke during a weekly luncheon of the Congressional Black Caucus, where Chair Yvette Clarke informed colleagues, prompting shock among lawmakers who had served alongside Scott for decades.

Scott’s passing slightly widens Republicans’ narrow House majority during a critical midterm election cycle.

A steadfast ally of Israel

Beyond domestic policy, Scott was known as a reliable and vocal supporter of the U.S.–Israel alliance.

He consistently backed military aid to Israel, defended its right to self-defense against terrorism, and opposed one-sided measures targeting the Jewish state in international forums. Scott also maintained strong relationships with pro-Israel advocacy groups, including AIPAC, and frequently engaged with Jewish leaders in Georgia and nationwide.

At a time when divisions over Israel deepened within his party, Scott remained firmly aligned with the traditional pro-Israel Democratic position, emphasizing the strategic and moral importance of the alliance.

From Jim Crow South to Congress

David Albert Scott was born on June 27, 1945, in Aynor, South Carolina, during the era of Jim Crow segregation. He went on to graduate from Florida A&M University and later earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Before his election to Congress in 2002, Scott served as a state lawmaker in Georgia, building a reputation as a coalition-builder.

In Congress, he became a prominent advocate for historically Black colleges and universities, rural communities, and working families — while also carving out a distinct role as a pro-Israel voice within the Democratic Party.

Final years

Scott was less active on the campaign trail in 2026 but dismissed calls to step aside.

“Thank God I’m in good health, moving and doing the people’s work,” he said in 2024.

His death marks the end of a decades-long career defined by perseverance, pragmatism, and a consistent commitment to both his constituents and America’s alliance with Israel.

He is remembered by colleagues as a lawmaker who bridged divides — from the Deep South to Capitol Hill — and stood firmly in support of the Jewish state even as political winds shifted around him.