Sarah Davis (politician)

{{Infobox officeholder

| name=Sarah Davis

| image =

| imagesize =

| caption=

| party=Republican

| term_start=January 11, 2011

| term_end=January 12, 2021

| preceded=Ellen Cohen

| succeeded= Ann Johnson

| birth_date={{Birth date and age|1976|5|18}}{{cite web|title=State Rep. Sarah Davis District 134 (R-West University Place)|url=http://www.texastribune.org/directory/sarah-davis/|publisher=The Texas Tribune|access-date=March 8, 2014}}

| death_date=

| death_place=

| resting_place=

| birth_place=Charleston, West Virginia, US

| occupation=Attorney/Of Counsel, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker{{cite web|title=Biography|url=http://www.sarahdavis134.com/biography|publisher=sarahdavis134|access-date=March 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308153928/http://www.sarahdavis134.com/biography|archive-date=March 8, 2014}}

| residence= Houston, Texas

| spouse=Kent Adams

| children=

| alma_mater={{Plainlist|

Baylor University {{Small|(BA)}}
University of Houston {{Small|(JD)}}

}}

|state_house=Texas

|district=134th

}}

Sarah Davis (born May 18, 1976) is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives; she was first elected in the Tea Party wave of 2010.{{Cite web|title = Ann Johnson Offers A Voice In Tune With Texas House District 134|url = http://blog.chron.com/texasliberal/2012/10/ann-johnson-offers-a-voice-in-tune-with-texas-house-district-134/|website = Texas Liberal|access-date = 2016-02-02|language = en-US}} Her district, the 134th, is located in Houston and includes The Galleria, Rice University, and the Texas Medical Center. Prior to her loss to Ann Johnson in 2020, Davis was the only pro-choice Republican in the Texas House.{{cite news|last1=Kadifa|first1=Margaret|title=There's One Pro-Choice Republican in the Texas Legislature. Soon There Could Be Zero.|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/03/sarah-davis-texas-primary-greg-abbott/|access-date=8 March 2018|publisher=Mother Jones|date=March 1, 2018}}

Davis won election to her fifth term in the House in the general election held on November 6, 2018, when she defeated Democrat Allison Lami Sawyer, 47,164 votes (53.2 percent) to 41,486 (46.8 percent). In 2018, she ran 1,028 votes behind her showing two years earlier.{{cite web|url=https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/nov06_331_state.htm?x=0&y=0&id=545|title=Election Returns|date=November 6, 2018|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|access-date=November 10, 2018|archive-date=November 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110200011/https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/nov06_331_state.htm?x=0&y=0&id=545}}

Political views

Davis has served on multiple committees and is a former chairman of the House Ethics Committee. In her fourth-term election 2016, Davis polled 48,192 votes (53.6 percent) to defeat Democrat Ben Rose, who drew 38,958 (43.3 percent). Libertarian Gilberto "Gil" Velasquez Jr. received the remaining 2,831 votes (3.2 percent).{{cite web|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist319_state.htm|title=Election Results|date=November 8, 2016|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|access-date=December 15, 2016}}

= LGBT policy =

Equality Texas gave Davis an "A+" on her scorecard for the 86th session, stating that she "was the only Republican in the legislature to co-author pro-equality bills — five in all. She also stood in solidarity with the House LGBTQ Caucus on the House floor and at public events."{{Cite web|title = Equality Texas 2019 Legislative Scorecard|url = https://www.equalitytexas.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/EQTX-2019-Legislative-Scorecard.pdf|website = www.equalitytexas.org|access-date = 2019-11-06}}

In the 2018 election cycle, the Human Rights Campaign endorsed her. She was the only Republican to receive their endorsement.{{Cite web|title = The Slate Of HRC-Endorsed Pro-Equality Candidates In the Lone Star State|url = https://www.hrc.org/news/heres-the-slate-of-hrc-endorsed-pro-equality-candidates-in-the-lone-star-st|website = www.hrc.org| date=17 October 2018 |access-date = 2019-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019002833/https://www.hrc.org/blog/heres-the-slate-of-hrc-endorsed-pro-equality-candidates-in-the-lone-star-st|archive-date=2018-10-19|url-status=live}}

In the 82nd legislature, Davis received an "F" from Equality Texas for supporting Republican Wayne Christian's attempts to end LGBT resource centers on college campuses during a legislative session marked by major reductions in funding across the board due to the depressed state economy.{{Cite web|title = Equality Texas and the Dangers of 'Good Enough'|url = http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2014-01-24/equality-texas-and-the-dangers-of-good-enough/|website = www.austinchronicle.com|access-date = 2016-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523034125/http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2014-01-24/equality-texas-and-the-dangers-of-good-enough/|archive-date=May 23, 2015|url-status=live}} In the 83rd legislature, Davis received a "C" from Equality Texas. 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, However I do not oppose two consenting adults entering into civil unions."{{Cite web|title = Gay rights group backs Texas Republican|url = http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Gay-rights-group-backs-Texas-Republican-5162757.php#photo-3641030|website = San Antonio Express-News|access-date = 2016-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308163723/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Gay-rights-group-backs-Texas-Republican-5162757.php|archive-date=March 8, 2014|url-status=live}} In 2014, Equality Texas endorsed Davis while Davis was being challenged by another Republican, Bonnie Parker.

= Guns =

In 2015, Davis voted in favor of HB972, allowing guns on college campuses.{{cite web|title=Vote out state representatives who voted for campus carry|url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2016/10/03/vote-out-state-representatives-who-voted-for-campus-carry|access-date=October 20, 2016}} 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, prohibiting the enforcement of federal firearm regulations concerning firearm capacity, registration, or background checks.{{cite web|title=Text of HB1076|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/html/HB01076I.htm|access-date=October 20, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Davis vote on HB1076|url=https://votesmart.org/bill/16903/44864/117479/prohibits-the-enforcement-of-federal-firearm-regulations#.WAlB5iMrL-k|access-date=October 20, 2016}} The bill did not become law.

Davis has received the endorsement of the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) and the Texas State Rifle Association. Davis authored a bill to reduce license fees for concealed carry licenses issued to retired military and law enforcement personnel. In 2010, the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association both gave her an "A" on her position on gun rights.{{cite web|title=Representative Sarah Davis's Special Interest Group Ratings|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/117479/sarah-davis#.UxsLLYXgJTs|publisher=Project Vote Smart|access-date=March 8, 2014}} She received an "A" grade and endorsement from the NRA-PVF in 2014,{{cite web |title=NRA-PVF {{!}} Grades {{!}} Texas |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/texas/ |website=nrapvf.org |publisher=NRA-PVF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104203832/https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/texas/ |archive-date=November 4, 2014 |language=en-US |url-status=usurped}} but this fell to a "C" grade in 2020.{{cite web |title=NRA-PVF {{!}} Grades {{!}} Texas |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/texas/ |website=nrapvf.org |publisher=NRA-PVF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103185228/http://www.nrapvf.org/grades/texas |archive-date=November 3, 2020 |language=en-US |url-status=usurped}}

Davis voted in favor of 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.{{cite web|title=Summary of Amendments|url=http://www.journals.senate.state.tx.us/sjrnl/84r/pdf/84RSJ05-22-F.PDF#page=29|access-date=October 20, 2016}}

= 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.{{cite web|title=Impact of 2011 Budget on Public Education|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2012/09/27/report-examine-budget-cuts-affected-texas-schools/|publisher=Project Vote Smart|access-date=October 20, 2016|date=2012-09-27}} In 2012, Davis claimed her vote on the budget did not reduce funding for public education. PolitiFact rated Davis' claim "Pants on Fire."{{cite web|title=Davis claim rated by politifact|url=http://offthekuff.com/wp/?p=48672|publisher=Project Vote Smart|access-date=October 20, 2016}}

In 2015, Davis opposed limiting pre-kindergarten class sizes to 18 and opposed ensuring that teachers met certain qualifications.{{cite web|url=https://legiscan.com/TX/rollcall/HB4/id/427967|title=Texas HB4 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature }} 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.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

= Health care =

Davis is the only pro-choice Republican in the Texas legislature and has earned the endorsement of Planned Parenthood in previous races.{{cite web |last1=Rayasam |first1=Renuka |title=The One Republican Lawmaker in Texas Who Supports Abortion Rights |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/04/14/texas-abortion-sarah-davis-pro-choice-republican-126071 |website=Politico |date=14 April 2020 |access-date=14 August 2020}} 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.{{cite web|title=Sarah Davis' Voting Records on Issue: Abortion|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/117479/sarah-davis/2/abortion#.Uxr8Y4XgJTs|publisher=Project Vote Smart|access-date=March 8, 2014}} During the 2013 debate on the abortion restriction 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.{{cite web|title=Abortion debate on HB 2 starts out with a bang|date=9 July 2013 |url=http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2013/07/abortion-debate-on-hb-2-starts-out-with-a-bang/|publisher=The Houston Chronicle|access-date=March 8, 2014}} The facility restrictions in the bill were found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oyez.org/cases/2015/15-274|title=Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt|website=Oyez|language=en|access-date=2019-11-11}}

= Other =

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.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

= Gubernatorial dispute =

After Davis clashed with Governor Greg Abbott in the 2017 summer special session, Governor Abbott gave his first endorsement of the 2018 election cycle to her primary opponent Susanna Dokupil.{{Cite web | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2017/11/13/texas-gov-greg-abbott-endorses-primary-challenger-state-rep-sarah-davi/ | title=Gov. Greg Abbott endorses primary challenger to state Rep. Sarah Davis| date=2017-11-13}} Abbott has been an active and vocal opponent of Davis' campaign, even saying that Davis "completely disregards her very own constituents and puts her own personal, petty politics ahead of the greater good for the people of the state of Texas."{{Cite web | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2018/01/12/fundraiser-abbott-say-davis-bill-could-have-undercut-harvey-response/ |title = At fundraiser, Abbott says Davis bill could have undercut Harvey response|date = 2018-01-12}}

Committee assignments<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://house.texas.gov/members/member-page/?district=134#committees|title=Texas House of Representatives|last=Representatives|first=Texas House of|website=house.texas.gov|access-date=2018-06-22}}</ref>

Appropriations
Subcommittee on Article II (Chair)
Calendars
Corrections
Economic Competitiveness, Select
General Investigating & Ethics (Chair)

Personal life

Davis is a breast cancer survivor, and is married to Kent Adams.

Electoral history

=Texas state house elections=

==2010==

{{Election box begin|title=Texas primary election, 2010: House District 134{{cite web|title=2010 Primary Elections|url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-election-results/texas-2010-election-primary/|publisher=The Texas Tribune|access-date=March 7, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Sarah Davis

|votes=4,379

|percentage=54.55%

|change=

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Bonnie Parker

|votes=3,648

|percentage=45.45%

|change=

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes=731

|percentage=9.1%

|change=-36.43%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 8027

|percentage =100%

|change =+2.74%

}}

{{Election box begin|title=Texas general election, 2010: House District 134{{cite web|title=2010 General Election|url=http://www.texastribune.org/texas-election-results/texas-2010-election-general/|publisher=The Texas Tribune|access-date=March 7, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Sarah Davis

|votes=25,955

|percentage=50.68%

|change=+8.47%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Ellen Cohen (incumbent)

|votes=25,254

|percentage=49.31%

|change=-6.15%

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes=701

|percentage=1.36%

|change=-9.56%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 51,209

|percentage =100%

|change =-25.04%

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

|winner = Republican Party (US)

|loser = Democratic Party (US)

|swing = +8.47%

}}

==2012==

{{Election box begin|title=Texas primary election, 2012: House District 134{{cite web|title=Texas House of Representatives Elections 2012|url=http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Society/texas-house-representatives-elections.html|publisher=Altius Directory|access-date=March 7, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Sarah Davis (incumbent)

|votes=9,796

|percentage=100%

|change=+55.29%

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes=9,796

|percentage=100%

|change=+90.9%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 9,796

|percentage =100%

|change =+18.08%

}}

{{Election box begin|title=Texas general election, 2012: House District 134{{cite web|title=News App: The 2012 Election Brackets|url=http://www.texastribune.org/election-2012/#tab-tx-house|publisher=The Texas Tribune|access-date=March 7, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Sarah Davis (incumbent)

|votes=43,823

|percentage=54.64%

|change=+3.96%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Ann Johnson

|votes=36,366

|percentage=45.35%

|change=-3.96%

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes=7457

|percentage=9.29%

|change=+7.93%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 80,189

|percentage =100%

|change =+56.59%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Republican Party (US)

|loser = Democratic Party (US)

|swing = +3.96%

}}

==2014==

{{Election box begin|title=Texas primary election, 2014: House District 134{{cite news |date=March 9, 2014 |title=Texas - Summary Vote Results|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2014/by_state/TX_Page_0304.html?SITE=TXHOUELN&SECTION=POLITICS |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308051310/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2014/by_state/TX_Page_0304.html?SITE=TXHOUELN&SECTION=POLITICS |archive-date=2014-03-08 |newspaper=The Houston Chronicle|access-date=March 7, 2014}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Sarah Davis (incumbent)

|votes=8,050

|percentage=70.95%

|change=+16.4%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Bonnie Parker

|votes=3,296

|percentage=29.04%

|change=-16.41%

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes=4,754

|percentage=41.9%

|change=-49%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes =11,346

|percentage =100%

|change =+13.66%

}}

{{Election box begin|title=Texas general election, 2014: House District 134{{cite web|title=Race Summary Report, 2014 General Election, Office of the Secretary of State|url=https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist175_state.htm|access-date=September 11, 2020}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Sarah Davis (incumbent)

|votes=32,092

|percentage=61.18%

|change=+6.54%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Alison Ruff

|votes=20,364

|percentage=38.82%

|change=-6.54%

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes=11,728

|percentage=22.36%

|change=+13.07%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 52,456

|percentage =100%

|change =-34.59%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Republican Party (US)

|loser = Democratic Party (US)

|swing = +6.54%

}}

==2016==

{{Election box begin|title=Texas primary election, 2016: House District 134{{cite web|title=Race Summary Report - 2016 Republican Party Primary Election

|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist273_state.htm|publisher=Secretary of State of Texas|access-date=June 17, 2018}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Sarah Davis (incumbent)

|votes=13,858

|percentage=59.48%

|change=-11.47%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=David L. Palmer

|votes=9,439

|percentage=40.52%

|change=+11.47%

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes=4,419

|percentage=18.96%

|change=-22.94%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 23,297

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box begin|title=Texas general election, 2016: House District 134{{cite web|title=Race Summary Report, 2016 General Election, Office of the Secretary of State|url=https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist319_state.htm|access-date=September 11, 2020}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Sarah Davis (incumbent)

|votes=48,192

|percentage=53.56%

|change=-7.62%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Ben Rose

|votes=38,958

|percentage=43.30%

|change=+4.48%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate=Gilberto "Gil" Velasquez, Jr.

|votes=2,831

|percentage=3.15%

|change=+3.15%

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes=9,234

|percentage=10.26%

|change=-12.10%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 89,981

|percentage =100%

|change =+71.54%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Republican Party (US)

|loser = Democratic Party (US)

|swing = -7.62%

}}

==2018==

{{Election box begin|title=Texas primary election, 2018: House District 134{{cite web|title=Race Summary Report - 2018 Republican Party Primary Election

|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist325_state.htm|publisher=Secretary of State of Texas|access-date=June 17, 2018}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Sarah Davis (incumbent)

|votes=8,081

|percentage=56.31%

|change=-3.17%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Susanna Dokupil

|votes=6,269

|percentage=43.69%

|change=+3.17%

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes=1,812

|percentage=12.62%

|change=-6.34%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes =14,350

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box begin|title=Texas general election, 2018: House District 134{{cite web|title=Race Summary Report, 2018 General Election, Office of the Secretary of State|url=https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist331_state.htm|access-date=September 11, 2020}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Sarah Davis (incumbent)

|votes=47,277

|percentage=53.17%

|change=-0.39%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Allison Lami Sawyer

|votes=41,637

|percentage=46.83%