South Carolina State Sen. John Scott of Richland County dies. He was 69

State Sen. John Scott, D-Richland, a state lawmaker since 1990, died Sunday at the Medical University of South Carolina hospital in Charleston.

He was 69.

The state Senate Democratic Caucus announced Scott’s death Sunday afternoon. No cause was given, but Scott earlier this year dealt with blood clot issues.

Scott was first elected to the State House in 1990. He served nine terms as a state representative before being elected to the state Senate in 2008 for the first of four terms.

He won reelection in 2020 after running unopposed. Scott represented District 19 in northern Richland County.

“Senator Scott’s legacy will forever be etched in the history of South Carolina,” said Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg. “His tireless work ethic, his willingness to bridge divides, and his unyielding commitment to the principles of justice and equality have set an example for us all.”

Among the initiatives Scott pushed for was creating the education lottery in South Carolina in 2002, which helps pay for college scholarships.

“There are a lot of people who owe him a debt of gratitude,” said House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, D-Richland.

Rutherford said Scott was in public service for much of his life, including working in Gov. Dick Riley’s administration with Rutherford’s mother, serving on Richland County Council and being a deacon at the New Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Despite Scott’s small stature, Rutherford called the state senator a “giant.”

“He was deliberate in his approach to everything, and there were very few topics that you can ask John about that he didn’t have an opinion on,” Rutherford said in a phone interview. “There are a lot of members that get elected and only come to the State House to come to receptions. John was not one of them.”

Senate President Thomas Alexander complimented Scott for his work on higher education and his advocacy for historically Black colleges and universities, workforce development and health care.

“He always contributed so much and brought a voice of reason and finding solutions to the things that were before us,” Alexander, an Oconee County Republican, said in an interview Sunday.

The S.C. State University graduate was the owner of J.L. Scott Realty and C&S Consulting Group, according to his legislative biography page.

In 2018, Scott ran as the lieutenant governor running mate of Marguerite Willis, who lost in the Democratic primary to James Smith.

In January 2019, Scott gave the Democratic rebuttal to Gov. Henry McMaster’s State of the State address, where Scott called on the governor and Republicans to join Democrats to fix the state’s problems in health care access and public education.

“Yes, I could spend my time debating with the governor and his party and blame them for the hard times our families are facing here in South Carolina,” Scott said in his remarks. “But I’m not interested in blaming someone for our problems. I’m interested in solving them.”

South Carolina Democratic Party Chairwoman Christale Spain called Scott’s death a “tremendous loss” for the party and the state.

“He used his voice in the General Assembly to fight not only for his district but for all South Carolinians, and his life’s work on issues of education, healthcare and economic development will have a lasting impact on our state,” Spain said.

In the 2020 election, Scott initially backed then U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California in the presidential race. After Harris dropped out, Scott backed Tom Steyer’s campaign.

Scott most recently served on the state Senate’s Banking and Insurance; Education; Finance; Labor, Commerce and Industry; Legislative Oversight and Medical Affairs committees.

He also was a member of the S.C. Legislative Black Caucus.

Recently Judge Joseph Strickland, who served as Richland County’s master-in-equity, accused Scott in a legal filing of having a “personal animosity” toward him because Scott’s son, who formerly worked for Strickland, was accused of stealing from the Richland County courthouse and forced to resign in exchange of being fired.

Scott denied the allegation and called it “ridiculous.”

In recent years, Scott spoke out against legislation to ban transgender women from participating in women’s sports, especially as the S.C. High School League said it only had a handful of requests from transgender athletes to participate.

“People are all upset about something that doesn’t even exist in South Carolina,” Scott said during a debate.

Tributes poured in on social media for the senator including several from the Richland County Legislative Delegation.

“He was a cherished colleague and friend who dedicated decades of service to our community and state,” said state Rep. Beth Bernstein, a Democrat.

Former state Sen. Joel Lourie, a Richland County Democrat, said his family and Scott’s family have been friends for more than 50 years.

“(Scott) always stood strong on the causes he believed in and served his community and state with great honor,” Lourie said.

State Rep. Kambrell Garvin, D-Richland, said he was devastated by Scott’s unexpected death.

“A giant tree has fallen. Sen. John L. Scott, Jr., was my political mentor and friend,” Garvin posted on social media. “Monique and I send our sincerest condolences to Mrs. Joan and the entire Scott family along with all who knew and loved our Senator.”

Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement released by his office that Scott will be deeply missed. Flags will be lowered to half staff once funeral arrangements are announced.

“Peggy and I extend our prayers and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Senator John Scott. With over 30 years of service in the General Assembly, he has had a profound impact on Richland County and all of South Carolina,” McMaster said.