Report: House Dems expect David Scott to retire in 2025

Scott sidelined from key farm bill negotiations

David Scott

An influential member of Congress from Georgia is facing growing questions about his future in Washington.

U.S. Rep. David Scott’s colleagues widely expect the Atlanta Democrat to retire from Congress in 2025 rather than seek a twelfth term, according to new reporting from Politico. And jockeying is already underway to succeed him as the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee.

Known for his mild-mannered demeanor, the 78-year-old is currently the longest-serving member of Congress from North Georgia, having represented Georgia’s 13th district since its creation in 2002. The district stretches across southern and western portions of the metro Atlanta area. He made history in 2020 when he secured the chairmanship on the Agriculture Committee — becoming the first Black member of Congress to hold the post.

But individuals close to Scott worry that his health has declined in recent years, pointing to his slowed speech and his limited visibility on Capitol Hill. And some of his own colleagues have reportedly grown frustrated with his leadership on agriculture at such a critical juncture — so frustrated that he has been sidelined from key negotiations. 2023 is expected to be a farm bill year, and some Democrats are questioning Scott’s ability to navigate the minority party through the expected Republican cuts to assistance programs.

Among those concerned: House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Last spring, Jeffries took the unusual step of assembling a special task force to fight back against Republican efforts to restrict the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as “food stamps.” Task forces like this are usually led by members of the Agriculture Committee, but Jeffries instead chose U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) to lead the panel.

It is believed that Jeffries is positioning Thompson to take over the agriculture committee if Scott steps aside. While both Jeffries’ and Thompson’s offices have largely denied that Scott’s health is a factor in the move, it’s worth noting that Scott has maintained a limited public schedule in recent years.

“Scott does not typically attend subcommittee hearings — an anomaly for the ranking member of a committee. He also has not traveled with the committee for out-of-town farm bill listening sessions this Congress, an important part of drafting the massive legislation. He no longer speaks with reporters in the halls of the Capitol after hearings, as he once did, and has not held a press conference this Congress to push back on Republican attacks on nutrition programs.”

Politico goes on to note that House Republicans were successful in adding new SNAP restrictions to the deal that they negotiated with the White House to raise the debt ceiling through 2025. And members of the far-right Freedom Caucus have said that any farm bill must include more restrictions.

Back home, a Scott retirement could lead to a power vacuum in Democratic politics. The 13th district is majority-Black and heavily Democratic. And as Scott himself can attest, districts like this tend to reward their member of Congress with long tenures.

In other words, you can expect lots of Democrats to compete for this seat if it opens up, from state legislators, to city council members and county commissioners.

Marine veteran Michael Owens has mounted several challenges to Scott over the years, but he was recently elected Mayor of the new city of Mableton. State Rep. Yasmin Neal (D-Jonesboro), who at one time was the youngest member of the Georgia Legislature, could also be a strong contender for this seat, as could UGA linebacker-turned-State Rep. Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge).

Scott denied Politico’s request for comment. He had previously dismissed stories like this as rumors from ambitious Democrats who are gunning for his committee post.