Artur Davis
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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 Tuscaloosa, Pickins 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 Davis notably questioned whether Hilliard was "black enough" to represent the district. 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%.
House 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. Seen as a rising star, he announced in May 2005 that he would like to run for a seat in the United States Senate in 2008, or for governor of Alabama in 2010.
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 and Alabama. 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 Oppertunity
- * Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations
Electoral History
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
External links
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