Artur Davis

Former U.S. Representative (since January 2003-2011)

Why He Matters

Davis is a lot like his friend, President Barack Obama. A young, Harvard-educated, African-American politician who has positioned himself as a candidate of change and has set his sights on higher office.

But his trip to the top was abruptly halted when state Agricultural Commissioner Ron Sparks (D) triumphed in the June 2010 Democratic gubernatorial primary with 62 percent of the vote.

Read more

Corrections?

Background

At a Glance

Career History: Vice chairman, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (2006); Attorney (1998 to 2002); Assistant U.S. Attorney (1994 to 1998)
Birthday: Oct. 9, 1967
Hometown: Montgomery, Al.
Alma Mater: Harvard University, B.A., 1990; Harvard University, J.D., 1993
Spouse: Tara Johnson

Religion: Lutheran
DC Office: 208 Cannon House Office Buidling, 202-225-2665
District Offices: Birmingham, 205-254-1960; Tuscaloosa, 205-752-5380; Livingston, 205-652-5834, Dempolis, 334-287-0860; Selma, 334-877-4414
Email
Web site

Path to Power

Born on October 9, 1967, in the disadvantaged city of West Montgomery, Ala., Davis was raised by his mother and grandmother. He attended public schools until he enrolled in Harvard University, where he received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude in 1990 and his law degree cum laude in 1993.

After graduation Davis interned with the Southern Poverty Law Center before becoming a clerk for Judge Myron H. Thompson, one of the first African-American federal district judges in Alabama. From 1994 to 1998, Davis was an assistant U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Alabama and from 1998 to 2002, a practicing attorney in Birmingham.

Read more

Running for the House

Davis' first run for office was in 2000, when he challenged incumbent African-American Rep. Earl Hilliard (D-Al.) in the Democratic primary. Davis criticized Hilliard for traveling to Libya despite a State Department prohibition, but ended up losing 58 percent to 34 percent. In 2002, Davis challenged Hilliard again after the district boundaries had been slightly redrawn. Hilliard surrogates questioned whether the Harvard-educated Davis was "black enough." Hilliard once said of Davis, a former federal prosecutor, that "the only thing he's done for black people is put them in jail."

Davis benefited financially in that election from supporters of Israel angry at Hilliard. Early in 2002, Hilliard was in a very small minority of members who voted against a measure pledging support for Israel in the wake of Palestinian suicide bombings. Davis recognized an opportunity. "My opponent, Earl Hilliard, has not been a strong supporter of Israel," Davis said at the time. "If I am elected, Israel will have a friend."

Hilliard won the primary by just three points (46 to 43 percent), but the free-spending Davis won the runoff 56 percent to 44 percent, despite campaign stops in the state on behalf of Hilliard from Congressional Black Caucus members and Al Sharpton.

Davis has not faced a serious primary or general election challenge since. Even his 2004 primary opponent Albert Turner, son of one of the leaders of the "Bloody Sunday" civil rights march in Selma, did not pose a real threat. Davis won 88 percent to 12 percent.

In the House, Davis sat on the committee on House Administration and the powerhouse committees of the Judiciary and Ways and Means. He has also served as a vice chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, as well as the New Democrat Coalition, a group of "moderate, pro-growth" representatives with a "common sense policy agenda" that focuses on economic growth, personal responsibility, and national security."

In September 2008, Davis's office announced his engagement to Tara Johnson, a community outreach coordinator for the Alabama Forestry Commission. They married on January 1, 2009.

In November 2008, Davis ran uncontested for what he called his fourth and final House.

He ilaunched an unsuccessful bud for governor in 2010 when two-term Republican Gov. Bob Riley was term-limited, losing in the Democratic primary. "We need somebody to step forward with a vision for Alabama, and I believe I have that vision," Davis said in May 2008.

The Issues

Davis has voted with his Democratic colleagues 96.9 percent of the time in the 110th Congress.He is seen as a moderate presence, however, as evidenced has played a leadership role in the New Democrat Coalition.

He opposed President Obama's March 2010 health-care reform package, as well as the June 2009 cap-and-trade legislation aimed at curbing global warming.

Read more

The Network

Davis endorsed President Barack Obama, his former Harvard Law School classmate, early in the 2008 presidential race. He was the first congressman outside Illinois to do so.

He helped him throughout the campaign, serving as Obama's Alabama 2008 campaign coordinator and zigzagging around the country as a surrogate for the Obama campaign. He also lobbied fellow House superdelegates to commit to Obama. Davis was rumored to be a contender for attorney general, but has repeatedly denied any interest in serving in the administration.

Read more

Additional Resources