Democratic Rep. David Scott, a 12-term congressman representing Georgia’s 13th District, has died. He was 80. 

Combined with prior stints in the Georgia statehouse, Scott was in public service for over 50 years. He was first elected to the House in 2002 and became the first African American chair of the Agriculture Committee when he claimed the gavel for the 117th Congress, from 2021 to 2023. 

Aside from the Agriculture panel, Scott also served on the Financial Services Committee.

“We are all deeply saddened,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a post on social media, adding Scott “spent the majority of his life in service to others.”

“Under his leadership, Democrats fought to strengthen our agricultural communities, reduce hunger, and bring the American Dream within reach of everyone,” House Minority Whip Katherine M. Clark, D-Mass., wrote on social media.

The news was announced on the House floor a few minutes after 1 p.m. Wednesday, bringing the whole number of the House to 430. Scott had voted on the floor the day before. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Scott leaves behind his wife, Alfredia Scott, two children and grandchildren. 

Born in Aynor, S.C., Scott moved to Atlanta once he got his M.B.A. and started an advertising business, Dayn-Mark Advertising. He also got involved in local politics, volunteering for Democrat Andrew Young’s successful 1972 congressional campaign. Two years later, Scott won a seat in the state House, and he went on to serve 20 years in the state Senate — many of those as chairman of its Rules Committee.

“He was a strong voice for Georgia’s farmers, hungry veterans and young people — who he helped shape into the next generation of agricultural leaders through his fierce advocacy for the 1980’s Scholarship Program at historically Black colleges and universities,” House Agriculture Committee ranking member Angie Craig, D-Minn., said in a statement. “The House Agriculture Committee will remember him for his strong faith, kindness and dedication to our nation’s farmers and working people.”

Scott’s death comes just weeks before he faced a contentious primary to keep his seat, scheduled for May 19. Scott is the fifth member to die during the 119th Congress. House Democrats now have 212 members, giving the slim Republican majority a little more wiggle room.