The death of Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) has reignited a debate among Democratic lawmakers and activists about the party's aging — and often ailing — leadership.
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Why it matters: Scott's death leaves the party down yet another vote at a high-stakes moment, some of his colleagues fumed on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the matter.
- "I will not be here at the age of 80 and I'm not quite sure why people feel that they should, but ... normal people are going to keep asking the question," one House Democrat told Axios.
- The lawmaker said it is "a liability problem" because "we need every f*cking vote we can get to stop this war in Iran, to ... protect the right for people to vote or to hold DHS accountable."
- "It's a topic of conversation worth having," another House Democrat said.
Driving the news: Scott's office announced Tuesday that he passed away at the age of 80 after serving more than 20 years in Congress.
- Scott's health had been a subject of concern among colleagues for years, leading to his ouster as ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee in 2024.
- The Georgia Democrat had been running for reelection and faced a large field of younger, well-funded Democratic primary challengers looking to unseat him.
By the number: Scott is the eighth House member to die in office during the last two years, all but one of whom were Democrats who were 70 or older.
- His death puts Democrats down another vote just a day after former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) resigned over allegations she funneled $5 million in COVID aid funds to her campaign.
- With Republicans at just 218 seats to Democrats' 212, every little advantage can make a difference in party-line votes, lawmakers gripe.
- Said the first House Democrat who spoke anonymously: "When we're losing a vote because someone has to resign out of corruption or someone else has died ... people should really ask themselves: are you absolutely sure you are the only person in your entire district who can represent your district right now to the best of your ability?"
What they're saying: "Chairman Scott's death is incredibly sad for his family, loved ones, staff, and everyone he inspired," said David Hogg, a former DNC vice chair whose PAC, Leaders We Deserve, is working to elevate younger Democrats in party primaries.
- "But," he added, "it's also terrible for his constituents, who could go months without representation, and the Democratic caucus, which is down another vote in Congress."
- Amanda Litman, the co-founder of Run For Something, told Axios: "As for Rep. Scott — my condolences to his loved ones. His community and our democracy deserve so much better than leaders holding on to power until they die on the job."
What we're hearing: "Today is going to put a lot more pressure on my colleagues who are older, because the question is going to come back, 'why are you running again?'" the first House Democrat who spoke anonymously told Axios.
- A third House Democrat told Axios that Scott's death "reinforces the need for every member to really evaluate whether they have a full, hardy two years in them with the margins as close as they are."
- A fourth pointed to former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose death in 2020 allowed Republicans to install a conservative in her seat, saying she "should have stepped down for the good of the cause."
- "I think it's the same thing here," the lawmaker said. "If you're not able to do the work of the people, you've got to move on."
The other side: "Anybody who is at an age where it's creating medical or stamina issues should probably give some thought to it," Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) told Axios.
- But the 81-year-old Missouri Democrat, who is running for reelection, added: "If you want to volunteer to debate Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters, Steny Hoyer, Jim Clyburn, all past the age of 85, I welcome you to do so and suffer the consequences."
- "The point I'm making here is, if there's a 25-year-old here who has some severe medical issues, maybe he or she should consider it," he said.
What to watch: Numerous House Democrats in their 70s and 80s are facing serious, well-funded primary challengers, as Axios has previously reported.
- Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), 81, is one lawmaker that several House Democrats have told Axios to keep an eye on. She faces a challenge from former Sacramento City Council member Mai Vang.
- The Sacramento Bee endorsed Vang on Wednesday, saying Matsui — who declined to interview with the outlet — is "losing her connection to her roots."
- Matsui's campaign responded by going after the paper, with advisor Roger Salazar saying "their coverage isn't journalism — it's advocacy" and that "media elites don't pick our representative — the voters do."