Alcee Hastings, Democratic congressman from Florida, dead at 84

Alcee Hastings, a Democratic congressman from Florida, has died at age 84, Fox News has confirmed.

He suffered from pancreatic cancer.

Hastings had been a federal judge and was impeached and convicted by the Senate in the late 1980s. But then ran for Congress and won in 1992.

Hastings represented Florida’s 20th Congressional District, which includes Democratic areas around Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. He was the dean of the Florida congressional delegation as the longest-serving member from the Sunshine State.

Fellow Florida Democrat, Rep. Val Demings, said Hastings “served his constituents as a civil rights attorney, judge, and Dean of our Congressional delegation.”

She added: “He changed the face of politics in FL and brought passion & unwavering dedication to the fight for justice. We are forever grateful for a life well lived.”

Hastings, a civil rights activist, was known for breaking down barriers. He became the first African American federal judge in Florida when former President Jimmy Carter appointed him in 1979. He served in the role for 10 years until he was impeached in the House and convicted in the Senate and removed from office on counts related to bribery, perjury and tampering with evidence. 

But Hastings mounted a political comeback a few years later. He won a seat in Congress in 1992 as the first African-American from Florida since the post-Civil War period to be elected to the House. He was serving his 15th term.

UNITED STATES – May 23: Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., listens to students speak about their experiences with gun violence during the The Gun Violence Prevention Task Force panel Wednesday afternoon May 23, 2018. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/CQ Roll Call)

Hastings’ passing means an even slimmer majority for the Democrats in the House. Once Rep.-elect Julia Letlow, R-La., is sworn into office to serve out the remainder of her late husband’s seat, Republicans will hold 212 seats compared to Democrats’ 218 seats.

That means Democrats can only lose two votes on their side and pass a bill without Republican help. By rule, tie votes fail.

There will be five vacancies — four of which were Democrat-held seats. 

Hastings is the second member of Congress to die this year. Rep. Ron Wright, R-Texas, died from COVID-19 over the winter. Luke Letlow had died of coronavirus before being sworn into office.

Tributes quickly came in Tuesday morning for Hastings.

“Congressman Alcee Hastings was my friend,” Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison tweeted. “I’m heartbroken to hear this news! He was passionate, emotional, a straight & no chaser type of Member. He loved his constituents & he took time to teach young staffers from the bumps in life he experienced.”

Fox News’ Chad Pergram and Alex Pappas contributed to this report.