Biography:

Jo Ann Davis' parents moved their family to the Virginia Peninsula when she was 9. In 1968, Davis graduated from Kecoughtan High School in Hampton. She attended Hampton Roads Business College and became an executive secretary at a real estate company in Newport News.

Davis obtained her real estate license in 1984 and her broker's license in 1998. She opened Davis Management Company in 1998 and in 1990 founded Jo Ann Davis Realty. She was one of the founders of the International Relocation Center, a firm specializing in relocating U.S. military families around the world.

As a broker, Davis served on the Grievance Committee of the Virginia Peninsula Association of Realtors and in 1992 was chairwoman of the association. She later served on the association's Professional Standards Committee.

Her husband, Chuck Davis, is a battalion chief for the Hampton Fire Department. They have two sons, Charlie and Chris, and the family lives in York County.

Past Campaigns:

After Rep. Herbert H. Bateman cited health concerns in announcing his plans to retire Jo Ann Davis was among more than a half-dozen Republicans who expressed interest in the seat. Five ultimately remained on the ballot in the 2000 primary, including Davis and wealthy Williamsburg businessman Paul Jost, who spent more than $1 million on the primary campaign and held the endorsement of Gov. Jim Gilmore. Nevertheless, Davis won with 35 percent of the vote to 30 percent for Jost in a race notable for its rancor. Bateman died in September of 2000.

In the general election in November 2000, Davis easily defeated Democrat Lawrence A. Davies, a former mayor of Fredericksburg, making her the first woman to be elected to Congress from Virginia.

Davis was unopposed in the 2002 general election.

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