Donald G. Davis

Donald G. Davis (born August 29, 1971) is an American politician serving in the North Carolina Senate, representing the 5th senate district since 2013. Davis was first elected to the post in 2008, representing Pitt, Wayne, and Greene counties. He was defeated for re-election in 2010, but ran and won a Senate seat for the newly redrawn 5th District in the 2012 election.[1]

For other persons, see Donald Davis (disambiguation).

Donald G. Davis
Member of the North Carolina Senate
from the 5th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2013
Preceded byConstituency Established
In office
January 1, 2009 – January 1, 2011
Preceded byJohn Kerr
Succeeded byLouis Pate
Mayor of Snow Hill, North Carolina
In office
December 2001 – December 2008
Preceded byR. Ben Rayford
Succeeded byLorrine Washington
Personal details
Born (1971-08-29) August 29, 1971
Snow Hill, North Carolina
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Yuvonka Batts
ProfessionEducator

Davis served as mayor of Snow Hill, North Carolina from 2001 until his election to the Senate. Elected at age 29, he was the youngest mayor in the history of Snow Hill.

Prior to defeating incumbent Mayor R. Ben Rayford in the 2001 mayoral election, Davis served eight years active duty in the United States Air Force. From 2001 until his election to the Senate, Davis also taught sociology at East Carolina University, Pitt Community College, and Lenoir Community College.

Early life and education

Davis was born in the town of Snow Hill and attended Snow Hill Primary School and West Greene Elementary School. He attended public schools in Durham and Wake counties. In 1989, Davis graduated from McArthur High School in Irving, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences degree from the United States Air Force Academy. Davis earned a Master of Science in Administration degree with a concentration in general administration from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts in Sociology degree with a concentration in social issues in regional development from East Carolina University. He also earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree with a concentration in higher education administration from East Carolina University. Davis has completed courses in the Commissioned Lay Minister Program through the New Hope Presbytery, Presbyterian Church United States of America.

Political career

Elected mayor in 2001, Davis also served as chairman of the First Congressional District Democratic Party. He filed to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the First District in 2004, but then dropped out before the primary election.[2]

In 2005, Davis was reelected as mayor. On October 1, 2007, Davis announced plans to file for the North Carolina Senate District 5 seat. Davis was one of six Democratic candidates who filed for the seat held by retiring North Carolina Senator John Kerr, III. He was the leading vote-getter with 36 percent of the vote in the May 6, 2008 Primary Election.

Short of the 40% margin required to avoid a second primary election, Kathy Taft of Pitt County called for a runoff. On June 24, 2008, Davis seized the Democratic nomination after obtaining 63% of the votes in the second primary election. Davis faced North Carolina Representative Louis Pate, a Wayne County Republican, in the general election.

On November 4, 2008, Davis was elected to serve as the next senator for the Fifth Senatorial District of North Carolina, with 53% of the votes. His term officially began January 1, 2009.[3]

In a rematch of the 2008 election, Davis was defeated for re-election by Louis Pate in November 2010.[4]

Davis ran unopposed in 2016. He faced Pitt County District Attorney Kimberly Robb in November 2018, and defeated her, gaining re-election.[5]

Committee assignments
  • Agriculture, Energy, and Environment
  • Appropriations on Education/Higher Education
  • Education/Higher Education
  • Health Care
  • Redistricting and Elections
  • Rules and Operations of the Senate
  • Select Committee on Nominations
  • Select Committee on Storm Related River Debris and Damage in NC

References
  1. Daily Reflector
  2. News & Observer: U.S. Rep. Ballance resigns
  3. News & Observer: Legislators began on January 1, technically Archived January 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  4. State Board of Elections: 2010 election results
  5. Livingston, Ginger. "Robb running for NC Senate".
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