Sarah Davis (Texas politician)
| Sarah Davis | |
|---|---|
| Texas State Representative from District 134 | |
|
Assumed office January 11, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Ellen Cohen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1976[1] Charleston, WVA |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Kent Adams, Attorney[2] |
| Children | Davis' husband has two grown children. |
| Residence | Houston, Texas |
| Alma mater | B.A., Baylor University; J.D., University of Houston[2] |
| Occupation | Attorney/Partner, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP.[2] |
| Religion | Protestant |
Sarah Davis (born 1976) is an American politician and a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives first elected in the Tea Party wave of 2010.[2][3] She is married to Kent Adams (born 1956).[2]Davis' district is 68.8% white, affluent and well educated. It contains The Galleria and the Texas Medical Center.
Political views
Davis has served on multiple Committees in the State House including chairing the Ethics Committee.
LGBT Rights
In the 82nd legislature, Davis received an F from Equality Texas for supporting Tea Party Rep. Wayne Christian's attempts to end LGBT resource centers.[4] In the 83rd legislature, Davis received a C from Equality Texas.[4] When asked about performing same-sex wedding ceremonies, Davis said "I believe marriage is a religious sacrament, and the government should not force congregations to perform the ceremonies."[5] In 2014, Equality Texas endorsed Davis while Davis was being challenged by another Republican, Bonnie Parker.[6]
- Limited Government
Davis has been named a "Fighter for Free Enterprise" by the Texas Association of Business. She voted to permanently exempt small businesses from paying the state margins tax. Davis voted to require drug screening of those seeking unemployment benefits. She voted to require photo identification to vote, voted to end sanctuary cities and she voted to fund increased border security.
- Crime
Davis authored and passed a bill which strengthened the ability of prosecutors to pursue child pornography cases.
- Gun rights
Davis has received the endorsement by the National Rifle Association and the Texas State Rifle Association.[2] Davis authored the bill to reduce license fees for concealed carry licenses issued to retired military and law enforcement personnel.[2] In 2010, the National Rifle Association and Texas State Rifle Association both gave her an A on her position on gun rights.[7]
- Health Care
A breast cancer survivor, Davis has consistently opposed legislative intrusion into health care decisions and into the doctor-patient relationship. Davis is the only Republican member of the Texas state legislature who is described in the media as pro-choice.[8]
In 2011, Davis voted against a bill to require physicians to conduct intra-vaginal sonograms, prior to even pharmaceutically induced abortions, citing her opposition to legislative interference in the doctor-patient relationship. Davis likened this legislation to the government takeover of the doctor-patient relationship by Obamacare, and as a Republican who believes in limited government, personal freedom and individual responsibility, Davis said the government should not practice medicine. Davis voted for a bill that prohibits the state from funding facilities that perform abortions. In 2013, she voted against a bill that increases abortion facility requirements, regulates the administration of abortion inducing drugs, and prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of gestation. Davis stated at the time that the bill constituted a de facto ban on abortions and would not withstand constitutional scrutiny. Shortly after the ban was enacted, the law was indeed held unconstitutional by a Texas Federal Judge, though that decision is now on appeal.[9] During the 2013 debate on the abortion restrictions bill, Davis offered an amendment to the abortion bill which retained the 20 week ban, but which deleted the unconstitutional facility restrictions, and instead incorporated exceptions for cases of rape, incest, danger to the mother’s life and severe fetal abnormalities.[10]
- President Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment
Representative Davis often cites Ronald Reagan's "11th Commandment," ... "Thou Shall Not Speak Ill of a Fellow Republican" and she occasionally presents her highly coveted "11th Commandment Challenge Coins" to Republicans who echo that philosophy. Davis demonstrated that philosophy during a nationally televised live interview on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show on March 12, 2015, when she very diplomatically discussed philosophical differences some Republicans hold, while showing her respect for all who share the core Republican philosophy of Limited Government, Individual Responsibility and Personal Freedom.
Electoral history
Texas state house elections
2010
| Texas primary election, 2010: House District 134[11] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Republican | Sarah Davis | 4,379 | 54.55% | ||
| Republican | Bonnie Parker | 3,648 | 45.45% | ||
| Majority | 731 | 9.1% | -36.43% | ||
| Turnout | 8027 | 100% | +2.74% | ||
| Texas general election, 2010: House District 134[12] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Republican | Sarah Davis | 25,955 | 50.68% | +8.47% | |
| Democratic | Ellen Cohen (incumbent) | 25,254 | 49.31% | -6.15% | |
| Majority | 701 | 1.36% | -9.56% | ||
| Turnout | 51,209 | 100% | -25.04% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | +8.47% | |||
2012
| Texas primary election, 2012: House District 134[13] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Republican | Sarah Davis (incumbent) | 9,796 | 100% | +55.29% | |
| Majority | 9,796 | 100% | +90.9% | ||
| Turnout | 9,796 | 100% | +18.08% | ||
| Texas general election, 2012: House District 134[14] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Republican | Sarah Davis (incumbent) | 43,823 | 54.64% | +3.96% | |
| Democratic | Ann Johnson | 36,366 | 45.35% | -3.96% | |
| Majority | 7457 | 9.29% | +7.93% | ||
| Turnout | 80,189 | 100% | +36.13% | ||
| Republican hold | Swing | +3.96% | |||
2014
| Texas primary election, 2014: House District 134[15] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Republican | Sarah Davis (incumbent) | 8,050 | 70.95% | +16.4% | |
| Republican | Bonnie Parker | 3,296 | 29.04% | -16.41% | |
| Majority | 4,754 | 41.9% | -49% | ||
| Turnout | 11,346 | 100% | +13.66% | ||
References
- ↑ "State Rep. Sarah Davis District 134 (R-West University Place)". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Biography". sarahdavis134. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ↑ "Ann Johnson Offers A Voice In Tune With Texas House District 134". Texas Liberal. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
- 1 2 "Equality Texas and the Dangers of 'Good Enough'". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
- ↑ "Gay rights group backs Texas Republican". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
- ↑ "Gay rights group backs Texas Republican". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
- ↑ "Representative Sarah Davis's Special Interest Group Ratings". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ↑ "Davis: Government has no place in abortion debate". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ↑ "Sarah Davis' Voting Records on Issue: Abortion". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ↑ "Abortion debate on HB 2 starts out with a bang". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ↑ "2010 Primary Elections". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ↑ "2010 General Election". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ↑ "Texas House of Representatives Elections 2012". Altius Directory. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ↑ "News App: The 2012 Election Brackets". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ↑ The Houston Chronicle "Texas - Summary Vote Results" Check
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