Jim Davis (politician)

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Jim Davis

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 11th district
In office 1997- 2007
Preceded by	Sam Gibbons
Succeeded by	Kathy Castor

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.

1 Early life and education
2 Career
3 Election results
4 Personal life
5 External links

[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.

Davis announced his candidacy for governor of Florida in 2005 and as of September 5th, he has become the Democratic nominee for the office, beating Florida state Senator Rod Smith by a margin of 46 percent to 42 percent. He received the endorsement 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 mayor of Tallahassee 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.

[edit] Election results

2006 election:

	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

2002 election:

Davis ran unopposed.

2000 election:

	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

1998 election:

	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

1996 election:

	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

Political offices
Preceded by Sam Gibbons	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 11th congressional district 1997-2007	Succeeded by Kathy Castor