Artur Davis

Artur Davis
Artur Davis
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; from Alabama's 7th district
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; January 7, 2003–
Preceded by	Earl Hilliard
Personal details
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Single

Artur Davis (born October 9 1967), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the Alabama's 7th Congressional District, a district created under the Voting Rights Act to be black-majority, and which includes the rural black belt. It encompasses the counties of Choctaw, Sumter, Greene, Perry, Hale, Dallas, Wilcox, and Marengo. It also includes parts of Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Pickens and Clark Counties.

Life and political career

Davis was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and was raised by his mother and grandmother. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1990 and Cum Laude from Harvard Law School before returning to Alabama.

After working as an intern at the Southern Poverty Law Center and then as a civil rights lawyer, he served as an assistant United States Attorney.

In 2000, he ran for the House in the Democratic primary against 10-year incumbent Earl F. Hilliard. He criticized Hilliard for taking a trip to Libya in 1997 despite U.S. sanctions, but despite vigorous campaigning, Davis lost the 2000 election 58%-34%. In 2002 he ran again and was helped by the fact that Hilliard's district had been greatly altered in 2002 redistricting, adding many white voters in Birmingham. Hilliard also had voted against a 2001 resolution expressing solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism. Davis received many contributions from pro-Israel groups. During the campaign Hilliard notably questioned whether Davis was "black enough" to represent the district. Despite these attempts to divide the African-American vote, Davis defeated Hilliard narrowly in the primary which required a runoff in June. However, he had no trouble winning the election in November.

He was challenged in the 2004 primary by Albert Turner, a son of a leader of Selma's "Bloody Sunday" march. He easily won the challenge 88%-12%. In the new Democrat-controlled 110th Congress, Davis has been assigned to the Committee on Ways and Means. The stature of that appointment, and the difficulty of raising sufficient funds, has led Davis to postpone plans to seek statewide office in 2008, either challenging conservative Senator Jeff Sessions or running for Governor of Alabama. In January 2007, Davis said that he was still interested in running on a statewide ticket in 2010, either for Governor, or for Senate if Richard Shelby elects to retire. ^[1]

House record

Artur Davis' political orientation based on voting record

Davis is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and resides in Birmingham, Alabama. Known as a bipartisan legislator, he has earned praise from publications such as Roll Call and the National Journal. Davis was appointed to the Senior Whip Team for the Democratic Caucus of the 109th Congress and is the Co-Chair of the centrist House New Democrat Coalition, as well as the Southern Regional Co-Chair for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Despite his status as a junior member of the minority party, Congressman Davis has emerged as a leader on issues related to housing, education, and health care. As a freshman, he led the successful fight to reverse funding cuts for minority land grant colleges including Tuskegee University. As a second term member, Congressman Davis won a floor fight to restore funding to the HOPE VI program for renovating public housing; he persuaded over sixty Republicans to vote with Democrats to save HOPE VI. In 2005, the congressman was the lead Democratic sponsor of a bill establishing a national cord blood bank, which will widen the availability of blood transfusions for thousands of patients who suffer from diseases such as sickle cell anemia and diabetes. Davis' voting legislative record has been primarily focused on Social and Health issues, which remain an important issue in his district.

Committees and subcommittees

House Committee on the Budget (10th of 17)
House Committee on Financial Services (27th of 32)
- Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance & Government Sponsored Enterprises
- Subcommittee on Housing & Community Opportunity
- Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations

Electoral history

File:ArturDavisXtra.jpg

Artur Davis speaking to students at the University of Alabama

2004 General Election

Candidate		Votes	%
	Steve Cameron (R)	61,019	25
	Artur Davis (D)	183,408	75
	Artur Davis (D) re-elected for 2nd term

2002 General Election

Candidate		Votes	%
	Lauren Orth McCay (Lib)	12,100	7
	Artur Davis (D)	153,735	92
	Artur Davis (D) elected for 1st term

Group ratings (2004)

National Journal
- Economic: 60% Liberal, 40% Conservative
- Social: 64% Liberal, 35% Conservative
- Foreign: 66% Liberal, 33% Conservative
Americans for Democratic Action: 75
American Civil Liberties Union: 70
Chamber of Commerce of the United States: 71
Christian Coalition: 33
American Conservative Union: 24
National Taxpayers Union: 12
League of Conservation Voters: 64

References

^ Orndorff, Mary (January 8, 2007) "Davis won't run for Senate in '08, but 2010 race another matter." The Birmingham News.

External links

Preceded by Earl F. Hilliard	U.S. Congressman, Alabama 7^th District 2003—present	Succeeded by incumbent

[1] Orndorff, Mary (January 8, 2007) "Davis won't run for Senate in '08, but 2010 race another matter." The Birmingham News.

[1]

v t e Alabama's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators	▌Tommy Tuberville (R) ▌Katie Britt (R)
Representatives (ordered by district)	▌Jerry Carl (R) ▌Barry Moore (R) ▌Mike Rogers (R) ▌Robert Aderholt (R) ▌Dale Strong (R) ▌Gary Palmer (R) ▌Terri Sewell (D)