Debra Davis

Davis was born in Cheverly, Maryland, on October 11, 1959. She graduated from Frederick Douglass High School and later attended University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology, and the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she earned a Juris Doctor degree. Davis was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1995 and to the District of Columbia Bar in 1996.

In 2010, Davis was elected to the Charles County Board of Commissioners, representing the Charles County District 2. During her two terms as commissioner, she gained the reputation as a maverick, often voting against the majority on issues large and small. During her second term, she also served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Local Government Insurance Trust, becoming the first African-American to serve as LGIT Chair.{{cite news |title=LGIT Names Chas. Co. Commissioner Debra Davis, Esq. as Board Chair |url=http://somd.com/news/headlines/2015/20084.php |access-date=February 8, 2022 |work=Southern Maryland Online |date=December 22, 2015}}

In January 2018, Davis announced that she would run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 28.{{cite news |last1=Lagasse |first1=Paul |title=County commissioner, attorney Davis runs for state delegate |url=http://www.somdnews.com/independent/spotlight/county-commissioner-attorney-davis-runs-for-state-delegate/article_e241ff17-899f-553d-8eee-5c3176bbe942.html |access-date=February 8, 2022 |work=Southern Maryland News |date=January 3, 2018}} The district was targeted by the Republican State Leadership Committee in the general election,{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=National Republican group targets 15 Democrats running for Maryland House of Delegates |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2018/10/15/national-republican-group-targets-15-democrats-running-for-maryland-house-of-delegates/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=October 15, 2018}} in which Davis placed third with 23.8 percent of the vote, behind incumbents C. T. Wilson and Edith J. Patterson.{{cite news |last1=Ellenberg |first1=Robin |title=Multiple County Officials Win State Offices |url=https://conduitstreet.mdcounties.org/2018/11/07/multiple-county-officials-win-state-offices/ |access-date=February 8, 2022 |work=Conduit Street |date=November 7, 2018}}

Davis was sworn in on January 9, 2019. She was a member of the Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2022, and has since served as a member of the Environment and Transportation Committee. She is also the House Chair of the Charles County Delegation and is a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and the Women Legislators of Maryland.{{cite web |title=Debra M. Davis, Maryland State Delegate |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa15389.html |website=Maryland Manual On Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=May 9, 2019}}

Davis supports the removal of school resource officers (SROs) from public schools, noting that SRO programs in Charles County disproportionally affected Black and brown students,{{cite news |last1=Soptelean |first1=Caleb M. |title=Charles students comment on school officers |url=https://www.somdnews.com/independent/news/local/charles-students-comment-on-school-officers/article_05b7d770-d714-588e-8f0b-e90b8e733fdb.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Independent |date=December 17, 2020 |language=en}} and reforms to make policing more equitable and humane.

During the 2019 legislative session, Davis expressed concerns with a bill that would require judges' names to be included in all online records, worrying that the bill would have a "chilling effect" on judges' independence.{{cite news |last1=Donovan |first1=Doug |title=Bills in Annapolis aim to allow greater public scrutiny of Maryland judges |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2019/02/11/bills-in-annapolis-aim-to-allow-greater-public-scrutiny-of-maryland-judges/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 11, 2019}}

In 2020, Davis introduced legislation that would require prosecutors to submit additional information about jailhouse informants before they could testify in a court case to identify whether they have a conflict of interest in the case.{{cite news |last1=Broadwater |first1=Luke |title=When innocent people go to prison, jailhouse informants are often to blame. Some Maryland lawmakers want to change the system. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2020/02/13/when-innocent-people-go-to-prison-jailhouse-informants-are-often-to-blame-some-maryland-lawmakers-want-to-change-the-system/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 13, 2020}} She also supported efforts to repeal the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=House Police Reform Panel Recommends LEOBR Repeal, New Accountability Measures |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/10/16/house-police-reform-panel-recommends-leobr-repeal-new-accountability-measures/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=October 16, 2020}}

During the 2021 legislative session, Davis introduced legislation that would establish a statewide police use of force policy.{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=Legislating Police Reform in 2021: 'We Really Do Have to Seize This Moment' |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/01/28/legislating-police-reform-in-2021-we-really-do-have-to-seize-this-moment/ |access-date=February 8, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 28, 2021}} The bill died in committee without a vote.{{cite web |title=Legislation - HB0139 |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0139?ys=2021RS |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=February 8, 2022}} She also supported a bill that would require counties to have a citizen review board for law enforcement officers.{{cite news |last1=Volland |first1=Ryan |title=Charles' Coates discusses diversity, equity at town hall |url=https://www.somdnews.com/independent/news/local/charles-coates-discusses-diversity-equity-at-town-hall/article_58a9036f-d767-57d1-973f-7d6e3f9e7734.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Independent |date=October 29, 2020 |language=en}} She also supported a bill to remove the governor of Maryland from the state's parole board.{{cite news |last1=Shwe |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Gaines |first2=Danielle E. |last3=Gaskill |first3=Hannah |title=Maryland Will Remove Governor from Parole Process, Limit Immigration Detention after Veto Override Votes |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/12/07/maryland-will-remove-governor-from-parole-process-limit-immigration-detention-after-veto-override-votes/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=December 8, 2021}}

In 2023, Davis introduced a bill that would establish a division in the office of the Attorney General of Maryland to oversee the Maryland Department of Corrections.{{cite news |last1=Ford |first1=William J. |title=Ombudsman proposed to ensure independent oversight of Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/01/25/ombudsman-proposed-to-ensure-independent-oversight-of-maryland-department-of-public-safety-and-correctional-services/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 25, 2023}} The bill passed the Maryland Senate, but died in the House Rules Committee.{{cite news |last1=Ford |first1=William J. |title=Maryland Attorney General Brown headlines conference to improve state's correctional system |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/09/06/maryland-attorney-general-brown-headlines-conference-to-improve-states-correctional-system/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=September 6, 2023}}

In August 2019, Davis criticized Charles County's "Fresh Start Academy" pilot program, which separates violently disruptive students in kindergarten through second grade into smaller environments, saying that the county school system should instead prioritize improving its ratio of counselors to students.{{cite news |last1=Lagasse |first1=Paul |title=Public defenders discuss criminal justice issues at forum |url=https://www.somdnews.com/independent/news/local/public-defenders-discuss-criminal-justice-issues-at-forum/article_cde4a3f0-8092-55e5-9a56-5f97ee83d5b2.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Independent |date=August 2, 2019 |language=en}}

During the 2021 legislative session, Davis introduced legislation to would expand access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance to eligible college students. The bill passed and became law.{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Jordan |title=New Maryland Law Dramatically Expands Access To SNAP Assistance, Anti-Hunger Services For College Students |url=https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_food_beverages/new-maryland-law-dramatically-expands-access-to-snap-assistance-anti-hunger-services-for-college-students/article_1750fc80-7097-545d-9f00-ef63e97488e1.html |access-date=February 8, 2022 |work=WFMZ-TV |date=July 27, 2021}}

In 2022, Davis opposed legislation to break up the College of Southern Maryland to create a new Charles County Community College.{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Senator Stands Alone in Fight Over Regional Community College |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/02/02/senator-stands-alone-in-fight-over-regional-community-college/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 2, 2022}}

In June 2017, Davis voted against the creation of a Watershed Conservation District in northwest Charles County surrounding the Mattawoman Creek watershed.{{cite news |last1=Anfenson-Comeau |first1=Jamie |title=Charles County commissioners pass watershed conservation district |url=https://www.somdnews.com/independent/news/local/charles-county-commissioners-pass-watershed-conservation-district/article_f366e620-44c8-5530-9666-440480aae135.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Independent |date=June 9, 2017 |language=en}}

In March 2016, Davis sought to postpone a bill to allow for the growth and dispensing of medical cannabis in Charles County, saying that she believed the county had not fully looked into the issue and wanted to get the Charles County Sheriff's Office involved in the discussion. She voted against the bill when it came up for a vote.{{cite news |last1=Anfenson-Comeau |first1=Jamie |title=Charles County commissioners pass watershed conservation district |url=https://www.somdnews.com/independent/news/local/charles-county-commissioners-pass-watershed-conservation-district/article_f366e620-44c8-5530-9666-440480aae135.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Independent |date=March 15, 2016 |language=en}} During the 2022 legislative session, Davis voted against a bill creating a statewide referendum on legalizing recreational cannabis in Maryland, saying that she did not think the state is not ready for legalization.{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |last2=Gaskill |first2=Hannah |title=With Scant Enthusiasm, Lawmakers Approve Marijuana Legalization Bills |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/04/01/with-scant-enthusiasm-lawmakers-approve-marijuana-legalization-bills/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 1, 2022}}

In January 2017, Davis attended the Women's March in Washington, D.C.{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Tiffany |title='Nasty Women' march in Washington for women's rights |url=https://www.somdnews.com/independent/spotlight/nasty-women-march-in-washington-for-womens-rights/article_419fd588-8861-5b18-b6ad-a22ed8c39297.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Independent |date=January 25, 2017 |language=en}}

During her tenure as county commissioner, Davis supported the Cross County Connector, a proposed four-lane highway connecting east and west Charles County.{{cite news |last1=Newman |first1=Jeff |title=State, local officials confront 'rain tax' backlash |url=https://www.somdnews.com/archive/news/state-local-officials-confront-x2018-rain-tax-x2019-backlash/article_0d60df52-3600-5795-b395-355ada039e69.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Independent |date=May 3, 2013 |language=en}}

During her 2018 House of Delegates campaign, Davis said she opposed a bus rapid transit system implemented by the Maryland Department of Transportation as an interim solution while the state studies potential light rail projects in southern Maryland. She supports the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit, a 19-mile rail project from Branch Avenue Metro station in Suitland-Silver Hill to White Plains, Maryland, calling it a "future driver of economic development".{{cite news |last1=Kinsey |first1=Darryl Jr. |title=Cooperation brings needed funds for rapid transit in Southern Maryland |url=https://www.somdnews.com/independent/news/local/cooperation-brings-needed-funds-for-rapid-transit-in-southern-maryland/article_a744224f-4a1f-540c-85ed-52b06980c5c7.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Maryland Independent |date=May 25, 2022 |language=en}} In 2021, Davis introduced legislation to provide $25 million toward design and engineering work for the proposed transit line, which passed and was signed by Governor Larry Hogan.{{cite news |last1=Soptelean |first1=Caleb M. |title=$5M in current budget for Southern Maryland Rapid Transit |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2021/04/14/5m-in-current-budget-for-southern-maryland-rapid-transit/43730437/ |access-date=February 8, 2022 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=April 14, 2021}}{{cite web |title=Legislation - HB0414 |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0414?ys=2021RS&search=True |website=mgaleg.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=February 8, 2022}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Charles County Commissioner District 2 Democratic primary election, 2010{{cite web

| title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Charles County

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/Primary/CountyResults_county_09_local_1.html }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Debra Davis

|votes = 4,823

|percentage = 43.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Charles Carrington

|votes = 2,714

|percentage = 24.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Johnnie DeGiorgi

|votes = 2,093

|percentage = 18.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Bob Buehler

|votes = 902

|percentage = 8.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Leo Bachi Eyombo

|votes = 610

|percentage = 5.5

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Charles County Commissioner District 2 election, 2010{{cite web

| title = Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for Charles County

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2010/results/General/gen_results_2010_2_by_county_090.html }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Debra Davis

|votes = 25,091

|percentage = 55.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Rick Campbell

|votes = 20,011

|percentage = 44.4

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 21

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Charles County Commissioner District 2 election, 2014{{cite web

| title = Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for Charles County

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2014/results/General/gen_results_2014_2_by_county_090.html }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Debra Davis (incumbent)

|votes = 23,484

|percentage = 51.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Mike Bakir

|votes = 18,082

|percentage = 39.7

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 3,958

|percentage = 8.6

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 28 Democratic primary election, 2018{{cite web

| title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/primary/gen_results_2018_1_01628.html }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Edith J. Patterson (incumbent)

|votes = 10,346

|percentage = 27.4

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = C. T. Wilson (incumbent)

|votes = 10,053

|percentage = 26.6

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Debra Davis

|votes = 8,725

|percentage = 23.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Edward Holland

|votes = 4,561

|percentage = 12.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = John Coller

|votes = 4,043

|percentage = 10.7

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 28 election, 2018{{cite web

| title = Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2018/results/general/gen_results_2018_2_01628.html }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Debra Davis

|votes = 34,236

|percentage = 23.8

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Edith J. Patterson (incumbent)

|votes = 33,383

|percentage = 23.2

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = C. T. Wilson (incumbent)

|votes = 32,793

|percentage = 22.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Jim Crawford

|votes = 15,059

|percentage = 10.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Dave Campbell

|votes = 15,010

|percentage = 10.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Maureen Janette Woodruff

|votes = 13,318

|percentage = 9.3

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 159

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Maryland House of Delegates District 28 election, 2022{{cite web

| title = Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates

| work = Maryland State Board of Elections

| url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_7_37.html }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Debra Davis (incumbent)

|votes = 28,394

|percentage = 23.2

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = C. T. Wilson (incumbent)

|votes = 27,959

|percentage = 22.8

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Edith J. Patterson (incumbent)

|votes = 27,792

|percentage = 22.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = James Ashburn

|votes = 13,867

|percentage = 11.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Marquita Bushrod

|votes = 12,673

|percentage = 10.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Tyrone R. Hall

|votes = 11,697

|percentage = 9.6

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|votes = 160

|percentage = 0.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist}}

{{Maryland House of Delegates}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Debra}}

Category:1959 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century African-American women

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:21st-century African-American women politicians

Category:21st-century African-American politicians

Category:African-American state legislators in Maryland

Category:County commissioners in Maryland

Category:Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates

Category:Maryland lawyers

Category:People from Charles County, Maryland

Category:University of Baltimore School of Law alumni

Category:Women state legislators in Maryland

Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly