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Jim Davis (Florida politician)

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Jim Davis
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 11th district
In office
January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2007
Preceded bySam Gibbons
Succeeded byKathy Castor
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
In office
November 8, 1988 – November 5, 1996
Preceded byHelen Davis
Succeeded bySandra Murman
Constituency64th district (1988–1992)
56th district (1992–1996)
Personal details
Born
James Oscar Davis III

(1957-10-11) October 11, 1957 (age 67)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpousePeggy Bessent
EducationWashington and Lee University (BA)
University of Florida (JD)

James Oscar Davis III (born October 11, 1957) is an Democratic politician and attorney from the U.S. state of Florida. He is a Democrat. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2007, representing Florida's 11th congressional district. He was the Democratic nominee for governor of Florida in the 2006 election, but was defeated by Republican Charlie Crist.

Early life and career

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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 in 1982. Davis worked as a lawyer in private practice from 1982 to 1988, when he became a partner in the Tampa-based law firm of Bush, Ross, Gardner, Warren & Rudy.

Florida House of Representatives

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In 1988, Democratic State Representative Helen Davis, who represented the 64th District, opted to run for the Florida Senate rather than seek re-election. Davis ran to succeed her, and centered his campaign around his experience with civil rights litigation.[1] He faced a crowded Democratic primary,[2] and was endorsed by the St. Petersburg Times, which praised his "thoughtful campaign" and "knowledgeable command of Florida,"[3] and by the Tampa Tribune, which noted that he had "the makings of a long-term legislator."[4]

Davis placed first in the primary election with 43 percent of the vote,[5] but failed to receive a majority, and advanced to a runoff election with attorney Tom Wright, who placed a distant second with 16 percent of the vote.[6] Davis won the runoff election in a landslide, receiving 65 percent of the vote,[7] and advanced to the general election, where he was opposed by Republican nominee Maxx Hudson. Owing to the strong Democratic lean of the district,[8] Davis defeated Hudson by a wide margin, winning 67 percent of the vote.[9]

Davis was re-elected unopposed in 1990.[10] In 1992, following the reconfiguration of state legislative districts after the 1990 Census, Davis ran for re-election in District 56, and was challenged by businessman Carl Mathews, the Republican nominee.[11] Davis defeated Mathews by a wide margin, but reduced from his previous races, winning 56 percent of the vote.[12]

In 1994, during a dismal national environment for Democrats, Davis faced a serious challenge from Republican businessman Bill Butler.[13] The race was initially too close to call, but Davis ended up becoming one of the few Democratic candidates to win locally,[14] receiving 51 percent of the vote to Butler's 49 percent.[15]

During the 1994 to 1996 legislative session, Davis was elected Majority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives, serving under Speaker Peter Rudy Wallace.[16]

Congress

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In 1996, Democratic Congressman Sam Gibbons declined to seek re-election to an eighteenth term, and Davis ran to succeed him in the 11th district.[17] He faced a crowded Democratic primary that included former State Senator Pat Frank, former Tampa Mayor Sandra Freedman, and County Commissioner Phyllis Busansky.[18] Freedman placed first in the primary with 35 percent of the vote. Davis ultimately placed second, winning 24.9 percent of the vote to Busansky's 24.5 percent,[19] a result that was confirmed by a recount.[20] Davis ultimately defeated Freedman in the runoff by a wide margin, receiving 56 percent of the vote to Freedman's 44 percent,[21] despite Freedman's status as a frontrunner.[22] In the general election, Davis faced Republican Mark Sharpe, who had narrowly lost to Gibbons in 1994. Davis defeated Sharpe by a larger margin than Gibbons had,[23] winning 58 percent of the vote.[24]

Davis was challenged in 1998 by Republican Hillsborough County Commissioner Joe Chillura.[25] Davis won re-election in a landslide, receiving 65 percent of the vote.[26] He was re-elected in 2000 with 85 percent of the vote against Libertarian Charlie Westlake,[27] was unopposed in 2002,[28] and defeated Libertarian Robert Edward Johnson with 86 percent of the vote in 2004.[29]

On October 10, 2002, Jim Davis was among the 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the invasion of Iraq.

2006 campaign for Governor

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Main article: 2006 Florida gubernatorial election
Davis campaigning in Wilton Manors

Davis declined to seek re-election to Congress in 2006, instead announcing on February 10, 2005, that he would run for Governor of Florida.[30] He won the Democratic primary over State Senator Rod Smith with 47 percent of the vote,[31] and faced Republican Attorney General Charlie Crist in the general election.[32] Davis selected former State Senator Daryl Jones, who had endorsed Smith in the primary, as his running mate.[33]

Despite the favorable national environment for Democrats, Davis lost to Crist, winning 45 percent of the vote to Crist's 52 percent.

Post-congressional career

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Following his departure from Congress, Davis joined the Tampa and Washington, D.C. offices of law firm Holland & Knight.[34]

In 2010, Davis joined the campaign of Moving Hillsborough Forward, a political action committee that was organized to support a transit tax in Hillsborough County to fund the creation of a light rail system in the region.[35] The tax ultimately lost in a landslide,[36] with 58 percent of voters rejecting the measure.[37]

Davis considered running for Mayor of Tampa in 2011,[38] with outgoing Mayor Pam Iorio suggesting that he would be "excellent."[39] However, in the aftermath of the transit tax defeat, Davis ultimately declined to run. [40]

Electoral history

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Florida's 11th congressional district: Results 1996–2006[41]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
1996 Jim Davis 108,522 57.9% Mark Sharpe 78,881 42.1%
1998 Jim Davis 85,262 64.9% Joe Chillura 46,176 35.1%
2000 Jim Davis 149,433 84.6% (no candidate) Charlie Westlake Libertarian 27,194 15.4%
2002 Jim Davis Unopposed 100% (no candidate)
2004 Jim Davis 191,780 85.8% (no candidate) Robert Edward Johnson Libertarian 31,579 14.1%

Personal life

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Davis's wife is Peggy Bessent Davis. The couple have two children, Peter and William. He is a member of the Episcopal Church.

References

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  1. ^ Smith, Todd C. (May 18, 1988). "Lawyer will seek state House seat". The Tampa Tribune. p. 2 - East Hillsborough. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Samek, Robert (July 4, 1988). "Nine unknowns vie for seat in Legislature". St. Petersburg Times. p. TP1. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "House Dist. 64: Jim Davis for Democrats". St. Petersburg Times. August 23, 1988. p. 18A. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Mary Figg, Jim Davis, And Genia Ward for House". The Tampa Tribune. August 24, 1988. p. 10-A. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "September 6, 1988 Primary Election - Democratic Primary - Official Results - State Representative District: 64". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 1988. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  6. ^ Smith, Todd C. (September 7, 1988). "Busansky on verge of upset; Davis leads". The Tampa Tribune. p. 7B. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "October 4, 1988 Runoff Election - Democratic Primary - Official Results - State Representative District: 64". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 1988. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  8. ^ Landenberger, Lee (October 5, 1988). "Davis, Hudson to square off in Dist. 64 finale". The Tampa Tribune. p. 4-B. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "November 8, 1988 General Election - Official Results - State Representative District: 64". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 1988. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  10. ^ Reed, Heather (July 21, 1990). "Battles brewing for 7 of 9 state legislative seats in Hillsborough". The Tampa Tribune. p. 8-B. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Brown, Karen F. (September 2, 1992). "Mathews emerges as GOP winner". St. Petersburg Times. p. 5B. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "November 3, 1992 General Election - Official Results - State Representative District: 56". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 1992. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  13. ^ Berger, Daniel (October 17, 1994). "District 56 race is heating up: Newcomer Butler says he'll push business, tourism". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1, 2-Brandon/South Bay. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Fechter, Michael (November 10, 1994). "GOP onslaught stuns Democrats". The Tampa Tribune. p. 2-Plant City. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "November 8, 1994 General Election - Official Results - State Representative District: 56". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 1994. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  16. ^ Metz, Kevin (December 3, 1994). "Senate, House leaders dish out chairmanships". The Tampa Tribune. p. Florida/Metro-1. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Edwards, Brian (December 3, 1994). "Davis expected to join race for Gibbons' seat in Congress". The Tampa Tribune. p. Florida/Metro-1. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Wilborn, Paul (May 25, 1996). "Six candidates take on common foe: Washington". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1B. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "September 3, 1996 Primary Election - Democratic Primary - Official Results - United States Representative District: 11". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 1996. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  20. ^ "Davis wins runoff spot in 11th District race". St. Petersburg Times. September 5, 1996. p. 3B. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "October 1, 1996 Runoff Election - Democratic Primary - Official Results - United States Representative District: 11". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 1996. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  22. ^ Rosen, Marty (October 2, 1996). "Freedman loses to Davis in runoff". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1A. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Edwards, Brian (November 6, 1996). "Davis easily beats Sharpe in election for Gibbons' seat". The Tampa Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "November 5, 1996 General Election - Official Results - United States Representative District: 11". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 1996. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  25. ^ Fechter, Michael (January 13, 1998). "Chillura says he wants a seat in Congress". The Tampa Tribune. p. 1-Florida/Metro. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "November 3, 1998 General Election - Official Results - United States Representative District: 11". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 1998. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  27. ^ "November 7, 2000 General Election - Official Results - United States Representative District: 11". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 2000. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  28. ^ Follick, Joe (July 20, 2002). "Re-Election's Easy For Unopposed Incumbents". The Tampa Tribune. p. 1 Metro. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "November 2, 2004 General Election - Official Results - United States Representative District: 11". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 2004. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  30. ^ Smith, Adam C.; Varian, Bill (February 11, 2005). "Hats flying into ring for '06 governor's race". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1A. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "September 5, 2006 Primary Election - Democratic Primary Official Results - GOVERNOR". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  32. ^ Bousquet, Steve; James, Joni; Leary, Alex; Liberto, Jennifer (September 6, 2006). "It'll be a Bay Area Governor: Crist, Davis will face off in Nov". St. Petersburg Times. p. 1A. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ Deslatte, Aaron; Cotterell, Bill (September 15, 2006). "Davis names Daryl Jones as running mate". Tallahassee Democrat. p. 3B. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "Law Firm Adds Davis". The Tampa Tribune. January 12, 2007. p. Business - 1. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Salinero, Mike (October 2, 2010). "Transit plan supporters to hold teleconference". The Tampa Tribune. p. 8. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ Jackovics, Ted; Wiatrowski, Kevin (November 4, 2010). "Rail tax backers rolling forward". The Tampa Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "2010 General Election: Official Results" (PDF). Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections. November 14, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  38. ^ Wade, Christian M. (November 11, 2010). "Davis 'seriously considering' run for mayor". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. p. 7. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ March, William (November 16, 2007). "Iorio Suggests Davis Would Be 'Excellent' Successor". The Tampa Tribune. p. Metro 3. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ Wade, Christian M. (November 19, 2010). "Davis rules out mayoral run in Tampa". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. p. 13. Retrieved August 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Archived from the original on July 30, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
[edit]
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 11th congressional district
1997–2007 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of the New Democrat Coalition
2001–2005
Served alongside: Ron Kind, Adam Smith 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Florida
2006 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former U.S. Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former U.S. Representative 		Succeeded byas Former U.S. Representative
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