Summary
Current Position: State Senator of District 5
Affiliation: Democrat
District: many rural areas of northeastern North Carolina, among the state’s most economically poor, as well as outer exurbs of urbanized Research Triangle. It contains towns and cities such as Greenville, Rocky Mount, Wilson, Goldsboro, Henderson, and Roanoke Rapids.
Upcoming Election:
Elected mayor of Snow Hill in 2001, Davis also chaired North Carolina’s 1st congressional district Democratic Party. He represented the 5th district in the North Carolina Senate from 2013 to 2023. Davis was first elected to the post in 2008, representing Pitt, Wayne, and Greene counties. He was defeated for reelection in 2010, but ran and won a Senate seat for the newly redrawn 5th district in the 2012 election.
OnAir Post: Don Davis NC-01
News
WNCT9, – March 6, 2024
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Super Tuesday is officially over. There’s now a new battle for the 1st Congressional District in North Carolina.
Laurie Buckhout beat Sandy Smith in the Republican primary and will take on incumbent Congressman Don Davis, a Democrat, in November.
“We have all of the ingredients in the first district for a very exciting and close U.S. House race,” said Dr. Peter Francia, an ECU political science professor. “Laurie Buckhout brings a lot of strengths given her background in the military and success as a businesswoman. But Don Davis is the incumbent, and incumbents are very difficult to beat when they run for re-election.”
About
Congressman Don Davis was born and raised in Snow Hill, North Carolina. He has spent his life answering the call to serve — as a veteran, educator, minister, and dedicated public servant.
As a young man, Congressman Davis worked in the tobacco fields and faithfully attended the same church where he currently ministers. He graduated in 1994 from the United States Air Force Academy and became a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, where he actively served in uniform for eight years. As a First Lieutenant, Davis coordinated Air Force One and CODEL operations at Andrews Air Force Base and supported families of military members as a mortuary officer.
Congressman Davis returned to eastern North Carolina as an assistant professor of Aerospace Studies at East Carolina University Air Force ROTC Detachment 600, where he taught national security affairs, military history, and leadership courses. As an educator for over 20 years, Davis mentored thousands of students as they completed their studies.
As a veteran, Congressman Davis continued his commitment to public service by becoming the youngest Mayor of Snow Hill at age 29, where he served seven years. In 2008, Congressman Davis was elected to the North Carolina State Senate, serving six terms.
In 2022, Congressman Davis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing 19 counties comprising the First Congressional District of North Carolina in eastern North Carolina. The Region 7 delegation unanimously elected him to serve as their representative and on the Steering & Policy Committee. Congressman Davis remains committed to working with his colleagues, regardless of party affiliation, to address the needs of his constituents in the First Congressional District.
Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University, a master’s degree in sociology with a concentration in regional development, and a doctoral degree in education from East Carolina University.
Congressman Davis lives in Greene County, NC. He is married to Yuvonka, and they have three sons–Ryan, Justin, and Kyler.
Personal
Full Name: Donald ‘Don’ Gene Davis
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Yuvonka; 3 Children: Ryan, Justin, Kyler
Birth Date: 08/29/1971
Birth Place: Snow Hill, NC
Home City: Snow Hill, NC
Religion: Presbyterian
Source: Vote Smart
Education
Attended, Commissioned Lay Pastor Program, Presbyterian Church United States of America
EdD, Educational Leadership, East Carolina University
MA, Sociology, East Carolina University
MS, Administration, Central Michigan University
BS, Social Sciences, United States Air Force Academy, 1990-199
Political Experience
Representative, United States House of Representatives, North Carolina, District 1, 2023-present
Mayor, Town of Snow Hill
Senator, North Carolina State Senate, District 5, 2009-2011, 2013-2023
Candidate, United States House of Representatives, North Carolina, District 1, 2022
Candidate, North Carolina State Senate, District 5, 2020
Professional Experience
Instructor, Sociology, Lenoir Community College, 1999-present
Adjunct Professor, Department of Sociology, East Carolina University, 2001-2007
Lay Minister, Saint James Presbyterian Church, 2002-2007
Instructor, Sociology, Pitt Community College, 2007
Assistant Professor, Department of Aerospace Studies, East Carolina University, 1998-2001
Captain, United States Air Force, 1990-2001
Protocol Officer, Flight Line, Andrews Air Force Base, 1997-1998
Executive Officer, Andrews Air Force Base, 1996-1997
Flight Commander, Plans and Force Management, 1995-1996
Admissions Advisor, United States Air Force Academy, 1994-1995
Offices
Washington, D.C. Office
1123 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3101
Greenville Office
1710 East Arlington Boulevard
Suite A
Greenville, NC 27858Phone: (252) 999-7600
Contact
Email: Government
Web Links
Politics
Source: none
Finances
Source: Open Secrets
Committees
Congressman Don Davis serves on the following committees and subcommittees:
Agriculture Committee (Vice Ranking Member):
- Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development,
- Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit
- Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry
House Armed Services Committee:
- Subcommittee on Readiness (Vice Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Military Personnel
Working Groups, Panels, & Task Forces:
Caucuses:
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Caucus Co-Chair
- Congressional Black Caucus
- New Democrat Coalition
- Vice Chair of Farm Bill Task Force
- Problem Solvers Caucus
- For Country Caucus
Voting Record
Committees and Caucuses
Agriculture Committee (Vice Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development,
- Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit
- Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry
House Armed Services Committee:
- Subcommittee on Readiness (Vice Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Military Personnel
Working Groups, Panels, & Task Forces
Caucuses:
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Caucus Co-Chair
- Congressional Black Caucus
- New Democrat Coalition
- Vice Chair of Farm Bill Task Force
- Problem Solvers Caucus
- For Country Caucus
New Legislation
Learn more about legislation sponsored and co-sponsored by Congressman Davis.
Issues
Health Care
Congressman Davis’ top priority in Congress is expanding access to affordable health care because he knows it is vital to keeping rural hospitals open, making health care accessible to those who need it most, and improving treatment for victims of addiction.
Congressman Davis is leading the effort in the House to expand access to affordable care for North Carolinians. That’s why a few of his first official acts in Congress included cosponsoring H.R. 31 COVER Now Act, which would help find a federal alternative to states who have yet to expand Medicaid and relaunching the State Medicaid Expansion Caucus (SMEC) to advance solutions to expand Medicaid for those trapped in their state’s coverage gap.
Congressman Davis understands that residents across North Carolina’s First Congressional District sometimes must choose between purchasing their lifesaving medication and putting food on the table. The hardworking people of eastern North Carolina make up more than 20 percent of the state, and he is doing what he can to keep them safe and healthy.
Jobs and the Economy
The east has been left behind by years of underinvestment and policies that ignored the actual needs of those who live in rural communities. His perspective on economic fairness and the dignity of work is deeply rooted in his upbringing.
Growing up in rural eastern North Carolina, Congressman Davis learned the value of hard work early. He spent his childhood cropping tobacco to help his family put food on the table, provide clothing, and keep the lights on.
Congressman Davis recognizes that things have gotten more challenging for families like his, and for many in eastern North Carolina, the American dream has never felt more out of reach. That’s why he is pushing policies in Washington, D.C., to rebuild an economy that works for everyone by creating good-paying jobs, protecting the dignity of work, and fighting for fair wages and equitable employment practices in the workplace for all North Carolinians.
Education
Congressman Davis knows that education is the lifeline for the future of North Carolina’s First Congressional District. But, the Congressman also understands that grit and determination alone aren’t enough and that today, things are more complex than ever for kids like him trying to get to the next stop on their ladder of success.
As a lifelong learner, Congressman Davis knows that access to a good K-12 education shouldn’t depend on your zip code and that the cost of higher education should never hinder an opportunity for a better life. So the Congressman fights daily in Washington, D.C., to expand access to early childhood education, lower the cost of higher education, and invest heavily in our HBCUs.
Congressman Davis also understands that college isn’t for everyone and firmly believes in ensuring our rural communities have the resources to offer residents opportunities like vocational training, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs that will allow young people to live their American Dream in eastern North Carolina.
Agriculture
Farmers and agricultural producers are essential to North Carolina’s First Congressional District. Our district produces tobacco, broiler chickens, sweet potatoes, soybeans, and more. North Carolina is the leading producer of tobacco in the country. As one of North Carolina’s earliest sources of revenue, it remains vital to our local economy.
As the Vice Ranking Member of the powerful House Committee on Agriculture, Congressman Davis is fighting for fair and just policies and investments that promote equity and accommodate the diversity of our district’s products and the uncertainty our farmers deal with daily.
For more information concerning work and views related to Agriculture issues, please contact our office.
Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families
As a United States Air Force veteran, Congressman Davis knows elected officials must represent the needs of our servicemembers, veterans, and military families. He also understands the challenges faced by soldiers returning to civilian life and for military families both during and after their loved one’s deployment. Therefore, the Congressman is working hard to strengthen education, career training, health, and housing assistance for our service members, veterans, and their families.
North Carolina’s First Congressional District is home to eight times more veterans per capita than the nation. As a House Committee on Armed Services member, he will boldly advocate on behalf of our active service members because he understands the sacred obligation to care for those who serve and have served our country.
More Information
Services
Source: https://dondavis.house.gov/services
District
Source: Wikipedia
North Carolina’s 1st congressional district is located in the northeastern part of the state. It consists of many Black Belt counties that border Virginia and it extends southward into several counties of the Inner Banks and the Research Triangle. It covers many rural areas of northeastern North Carolina, among the state’s most economically poor, as well as outer exurbs of urbanized Research Triangle. It contains towns and cities such as Greenville, Rocky Mount, Wilson, Goldsboro, Henderson, and Roanoke Rapids.
The first district is currently represented by Donald G. Davis.
On February 5, 2016, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the 1st district, as well as the 12th, were gerrymandered along racial lines, which was unconstitutional, and must be redrawn by March 15, 2016. It was re-drawn again in 2019 following court-mandated redistricting, which removed portions of the Research Triangle from the district and changed it to D+3 from a D+17 on the Cook Partisan Voting Index.
Besides a brief period from 1895 until 1899 when the district was held by a Populist, the 1st district has been consistently Democratic since 1883.
On February 23, 2022, the North Carolina Supreme Court approved a new map which changed the 1st district boundaries to add Chowan, Franklin, Greene, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and the remainder of Vance County while removing Wayne County.
Wikipedia
Donald Gene Davis (born August 29, 1971)[3] is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 1st congressional district since 2023.[4]
A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the 5th district in the North Carolina Senate from 2013 to 2023. Davis was first elected to the post in 2008, representing Pitt, Wayne, and Greene counties. He was defeated for reelection in 2010, but ran and won a Senate seat for the newly redrawn 5th district in the 2012 election.
Early political career
Elected mayor of Snow Hill in 2001, Davis also chaired North Carolina’s 1st congressional district Democratic Party. He filed to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1st district in 2004, but dropped out before the primary election.[5]
In 2005, Davis was reelected as mayor. On October 1, 2007, he announced plans to file for the North Carolina Senate District 5 seat. Davis was one of six Democratic candidates to file for the seat held by retiring Senator John Kerr III. He received the most votes, 36%, in the May 6, 2008, primary election.
As Davis did not receive the 40% of the vote required to win the primary, he faced Kathy Taft in a runoff. On June 24, 2008, Davis won the Democratic nomination with 63% of the vote in the runoff. He faced North Carolina Representative Louis Pate, a Wayne County Republican, in the general election.
On November 4, 2008, Davis defeated Pate with 53% of the vote. His term began on January 1, 2009.[6]
In a rematch of the 2008 election, Pate defeated Davis in the 2010 election.[7]
In October 2013, Davis went on a legislative visit to China sponsored by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.[8]
In July 2014, it was reported that Davis had “met with a group of Chinese medical exchange students from Wuhan” to “discuss the role politics plays in health care”.[9]
Davis ran unopposed in 2016. He defeated Pitt County District Attorney Kimberly Robb in the 2018 election.[10]
Committee assignments
- Agriculture, Energy, and Environment
- Appropriations on Education/Higher Education
- Education/Higher Education
- Health Care
- Redistricting and Elections
- Rules and Operations of the Senate
- Select Committee on Nominations
- Select Committee on Storm Related River Debris and Damage in NC
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2022
On December 1, 2021, Davis announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives to succeed retiring Democrat G. K. Butterfield.[11] He won the Democratic primary for the 2022 election for North Carolina’s 1st congressional district, defeating former state senator Erica D. Smith.[4] In November 2022, Davis won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Sandy Smith.
Tenure
Davis invited a 109-year-old woman from Battleboro named Cassie Smith to attend the 2024 State of the Union Address.[12]
In 2024, Davis was the lone Democratic co-sponsor of a bill by Representatives Greg Murphy and Brett Guthrie that weakened Medicare‘s ability to negotiate prices.[13]
Davis voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.[14][15] He was also among the House Democrats who voted to censure Representative Rashida Tlaib for her comments about the Israel-Hamas war.[16]
In March 2024, Davis, representative August Pfluger, and a news reporter wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Examiner. The piece criticized the push by many members of Congress to condition U.S. aid to Israel.[17]
Caucus memberships
Source:[18]
See also
References
- ^ https://restorationnewsmedia.com/articles/local-news-enterprise/former-rep-eva-clayton-endorses-don-davis-for-congress/
- ^ https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/news/the-salvation-army-announces-new-national-board-members/
- ^ “Rep. Don Davis (R-North Carolina, 1st)”. November 12, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ a b “Davis wins Democratic primary for 1st Congressional District”. WITN. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ News & Observer: U.S. Rep. Ballance resigns[permanent dead link]
- ^ News & Observer: Legislators began on January 1, technically Archived January 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ “11/04/2008 Official General Election Results Statewide” (PDF). nccourts.gov. June 27, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ “Legislators, NC contingent in China for economic development trip”.
- ^ “Chinese students meet lawmakers”.
- ^ Livingston, Ginger. “Robb running for NC Senate”.
- ^ “Senator Don Davis announces campaign for Congress to replace Butterfield”. WITN. December 1, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ Coffey, Kelsey (March 7, 2024). “NC guests to attend State of the Union address in Washington, DC”. WRAL News. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Cohrs, Rachel (February 5, 2024). “The lone Democrat willing to weaken Medicare’s power to negotiate drug prices”. Stat News. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). “House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). “Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session”. Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Fink, Jenni (November 7, 2023). “Full List of Democrats Who Voted to Censure Rashida Tlaib”. Newsweek. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Pfluger, August; Davis, Don; Makovsky, Michael (March 27, 2024). “Conditioning US aid to Israel would be a mistake”. Washington Examiner. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ “Committees and Caucuses”. Representative Davis. January 3, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ “NewDem Members”. NewDem Action Fund. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
External links
- Congressman Don Davis official U.S. House website
- Don Davis for Congress campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
Wikipedia
Donald Gene Davis (born August 29, 1971)[3] is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 1st congressional district since 2023.[4]
A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the 5th district in the North Carolina Senate from 2013 to 2023. Davis was first elected to the post in 2008, representing Pitt, Wayne, and Greene counties. He was defeated for reelection in 2010, but ran and won a Senate seat for the newly redrawn 5th district in the 2012 election.
Early political career
Elected mayor of Snow Hill in 2001, Davis also chaired North Carolina's 1st congressional district Democratic Party. He filed to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1st district in 2004, but dropped out before the primary election.[5]
In 2005, Davis was reelected as mayor. On October 1, 2007, he announced plans to file for the North Carolina Senate District 5 seat. Davis was one of six Democratic candidates to file for the seat held by retiring Senator John Kerr III. He received the most votes, 36%, in the May 6, 2008, primary election.
As Davis did not receive the 40% of the vote required to win the primary, he faced Kathy Taft in a runoff. On June 24, 2008, Davis won the Democratic nomination with 63% of the vote in the runoff. He faced North Carolina Representative Louis Pate, a Wayne County Republican, in the general election.
On November 4, 2008, Davis defeated Pate with 53% of the vote. His term began on January 1, 2009.[6]
In a rematch of the 2008 election, Pate defeated Davis in the 2010 election.[7]
In October 2013, Davis went on a legislative visit to China sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.[8]
In July 2014, it was reported that Davis had "met with a group of Chinese medical exchange students from Wuhan" to "discuss the role politics plays in health care".[9]
Davis ran unopposed in 2016. He defeated Pitt County District Attorney Kimberly Robb in the 2018 election.[10]
Committee assignments
- Agriculture, Energy, and Environment
- Appropriations on Education/Higher Education
- Education/Higher Education
- Health Care
- Redistricting and Elections
- Rules and Operations of the Senate
- Select Committee on Nominations
- Select Committee on Storm Related River Debris and Damage in NC
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2022
On December 1, 2021, Davis announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives to succeed retiring Democrat G. K. Butterfield.[11] He won the Democratic primary for the 2022 election for North Carolina's 1st congressional district, defeating former state senator Erica D. Smith.[4] In November 2022, Davis won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Sandy Smith.
Tenure
Davis invited a 109-year-old woman from Battleboro named Cassie Smith to attend the 2024 State of the Union Address.[12]
In 2024, Davis was the lone Democratic co-sponsor of a bill by Representatives Greg Murphy and Brett Guthrie that weakened Medicare's ability to negotiate prices.[13]
Davis voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.[14][15] He was also among the House Democrats who voted to censure Representative Rashida Tlaib for her comments about the Israel-Hamas war.[16]
In March 2024, Davis, representative August Pfluger, and a news reporter wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Examiner. The piece criticized the push by many members of Congress to condition U.S. aid to Israel.[17]
Caucus memberships
Source:[18]
See also
References
- ^ https://restorationnewsmedia.com/articles/local-news-enterprise/former-rep-eva-clayton-endorses-don-davis-for-congress/
- ^ https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/news/the-salvation-army-announces-new-national-board-members/
- ^ "Rep. Don Davis (R-North Carolina, 1st)". November 12, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- ^ a b "Davis wins Democratic primary for 1st Congressional District". WITN. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ News & Observer: U.S. Rep. Ballance resigns[permanent dead link]
- ^ News & Observer: Legislators began on January 1, technically Archived January 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "11/04/2008 Official General Election Results Statewide" (PDF). nccourts.gov. June 27, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ "Legislators, NC contingent in China for economic development trip".
- ^ "Chinese students meet lawmakers".
- ^ Livingston, Ginger. "Robb running for NC Senate".
- ^ "Senator Don Davis announces campaign for Congress to replace Butterfield". WITN. December 1, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ Coffey, Kelsey (March 7, 2024). "NC guests to attend State of the Union address in Washington, DC". WRAL News. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Cohrs, Rachel (February 5, 2024). "The lone Democrat willing to weaken Medicare's power to negotiate drug prices". Stat News. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Fink, Jenni (November 7, 2023). "Full List of Democrats Who Voted to Censure Rashida Tlaib". Newsweek. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Pfluger, August; Davis, Don; Makovsky, Michael (March 27, 2024). "Conditioning US aid to Israel would be a mistake". Washington Examiner. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Davis. January 3, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ "NewDem Members". NewDem Action Fund. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
External links
- Congressman Don Davis official U.S. House website
- Don Davis for Congress campaign website
