Jim Davis (politician)
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| Jim Davis | |
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| In office 1997–2007 |
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| Preceded by | Sam Gibbons |
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| Succeeded by | Kathy Castor |
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| Born | October 11, 1957 Tampa, Florida |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Peggy Bessent |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
James Oscar "Jim" Davis III (born October 11, 1957) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Florida. He is a Democrat and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2007, representing Florida's 11th district. He was the Democratic nominee for governor of Florida in the 2006 election. He was defeated by Republican candidate Charlie Crist.
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[edit] Early life and education
Davis was born in Tampa, Florida. He graduated from Jesuit High School of Tampa in 1975, and attended Washington and Lee University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979. He later attended the University of Florida's College of Law, received his Juris Doctor law degree in 1982. His grandfather was an important figure to him and taught him to stand up for what he thinks.
[edit] Career
Davis worked as a lawyer in private practice from 1982 to 1988, when he became a partner in the Tampa-based business law firm of Bush, Ross, Gardner, Warren & Rudy. Davis was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1989 and served until 1996, serving as House Majority Leader from 1995 to 1996.
Davis is one of the co-chairs of the New Democrat Coalition in the House of Representatives. The New Democrat Coalition is affiliated with the centrist Democratic Leadership Council.
On October 10, 2002, Jim Davis was among the 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the invasion of Iraq.
Davis announced his candidacy for governor of Florida in 2005 and won the Democratic primary held on September 5, 2006. He defeated then-state Senator Rod Smith by a margin of 46% to 42%.
He received the endorsements of former U.S. President Bill Clinton, U.S. senator for Florida Bill Nelson, U.S. senator for Illinois Barack Obama, former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham, former Governor Buddy MacKay, former First Lady Rhea Chiles (wife of Lawton Chiles), former Tallahassee mayor and Florida Democratic Party chairman Scott Maddox, Miami-Dade Democratic Party chairman Jimmy Morales, and Representatives Alcee Hastings, Robert Wexler, Corrine Brown, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
As of 2007, former Congressman Davis is employed at Holland & Knight in Tampa. There has been some speculation in the media about Mr. Davis's potential to challenge U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) in the 2010 election, or to run for Mayor of Tampa in 2011.
[edit] Election results
| Charlie Crist | Jim Davis | Max Linn | |
| Party | Republican | Democratic | Reform |
| Percentage | 52 | 45 | 3 |
2006 Democratic Primary:
| Jim Davis | Rod Smith | |
| Percentage | 47 | 41 |
Davis was elected to the House as the representative of the 11th district in the 1996 election and was reelected in the 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004 elections.
In the 2004 election, Davis was challenged by Libertarian Party candidate Robert Edward Johnson, a database consultant, and Socialist Workers Party candidate Karl M. Butts, a farmer. Davis won 85.8 percent of the vote, with Johnson taking 14.1 percent and Butts taking 0.1 percent.
| Jim Davis | Robert Edward Johnson | Karl M. Butts | |
| Party | Democratic | Libertarian | Socialist Workers |
| Total | 191,780 | 31,579 | 122 |
| Percentage | 85.8 | 14.1 | 0.1 |
Davis ran unopposed.
| Jim Davis | Charlie Westlake | Kay M. Sauer | |
| Party | Democratic | Libertarian | Socialist Workers |
| Subtotal | 149,433 | 27,194 | 21 |
| Absentee | 32 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 149,465 | 27,197 | 21 |
| Percentage | 84.6 | 15.4 | <0.1 |
| Jim Davis | Joe Chillura | |
| Party | Democratic | Republican |
| Subtotal | 85,249 | 46,166 |
| Absentee | 13 | 10 |
| Total | 85,262 | 46,176 |
| Percentage | 64.9 | 35.1 |
| Jim Davis | Mark Sharpe | |
| Party | Democratic | Republican |
| Subtotal | 108,500 | 78,856 |
| Absentee | 22 | 25 |
| Total | 108,522 | 78,881 |
| Percentage | 57.9 | 42.1 |
[edit] Personal life
Davis's wife is Peggy Bessent Davis. The couple have two children, Peter and William. He is a member of the Episcopal Church.
[edit] External links
- Jim Davis (politician) at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Voting record maintained by the Washington Post
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Sam Gibbons |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 11th congressional district 1997–2007 |
Succeeded by Kathy Castor |
