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]

Gun reform

In 2015, Davis voted in favor of HB972- allowing guns on college campuses.[7] This law also allowed guns to be brought into the buildings and dorms of universities in Texas. In 2013, Davis voted in favor of HB1076, meaning that gun vendors in Texas would not be required to conduct criminal background checks.[8][9]

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.[10]

Davis voted in favor reducing the penalty for carrying a gun in a prohibited location, including a high school, college sporting event, a church, or a hospital. The penalty was reduced from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class C misdemeanor.[11]

Education

The 2011 state budget, voted for by Davis, cut $5.4 billion from public schools. The budget resulted in the elimination of 10,000 teaching positions and widespread cuts to pre-kindergarten programs.[12] In 2012, Davis claimed her vote on the budget did not reduce funding for public education. Politifact rated Davis' claim "Pants on Fire."[13]

In 2015, Davis opposed limiting pre-k class sizes to 18 and opposed ensuring that teachers met certain qualifications.[14] In that same session, Davis voted to table Amendment 4 on HB1 - meaning that the public education budget would be cut by $800,000,000.

Crime

Davis authored and passed a bill which strengthened the ability of prosecutors to pursue child pornography cases.

Health Care

In 2016, Davis won the endorsement of Texans for Pro-Life.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]

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.

Electoral history

Texas state house elections

2010

Texas primary election, 2010: House District 134[18]
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[19]
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[20]
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[21]
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[22]
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

  1. ↑ "State Rep. Sarah Davis District 134 (R-West University Place)". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Biography". sarahdavis134. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Ann Johnson Offers A Voice In Tune With Texas House District 134". Texas Liberal. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  4. 1 2 "Equality Texas and the Dangers of 'Good Enough'". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  5. ↑ "Gay rights group backs Texas Republican". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  6. ↑ "Gay rights group backs Texas Republican". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
  7. ↑ "Vote out state representatives who voted for campus carry". Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Text of HB1076". Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Davis vote on HB1076". Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Representative Sarah Davis's Special Interest Group Ratings". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Summary of Amendments" (PDF). Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Impact of 2011 Budget on Public Education". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Davis claim rated by politifact". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  14. ↑ "https://legiscan.com/TX/rollcall/HB4/id/427967". External link in |title= (help);
  15. ↑ "Texans for Pro Life endorse". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Sarah Davis' Voting Records on Issue: Abortion". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Abortion debate on HB 2 starts out with a bang". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  18. ↑ "2010 Primary Elections". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  19. ↑ "2010 General Election". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Texas House of Representatives Elections 2012". Altius Directory. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  21. ↑ "News App: The 2012 Election Brackets". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  22. ↑ Houston Chronicle%5d%5d "Texas - Summary Vote Results" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved March 7, 2014.
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